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Gerald board agrees to waive fees, provide utility support for Rock Island Visitors Center
Summary
The Gerald Development Association told the board it expects about $250,000 is needed to open a Rock Island Visitors Center in fall 2025; the board agreed to waive building-permit fees and water/sewer charges and asked staff to investigate insurance because the building would be on non-city property.
Otis Schulte, representing the Gerald Development Association, presented plans for a Rock Island Visitors Center and said the group is aiming for a fall 2025 opening with project costs “about $250,000.” He asked the city to waive building-permit fees, provide water and sewer utilities at no charge to the GDA, and allow a replica bandstand gazebo near Main Street and Highway 50.
The Gerald Board of Aldermen and City Building Inspector Phil Pilgram agreed to waive the building-permit fee when the application is filed, and the board and City Administrator Nick Grube agreed to waive water and sewer bills for the GDA’s facility. Board members asked the city clerk and city administrator to investigate insurance options because the proposed structure would not sit on city-owned property.
Schulte said local contractors had offered donated time or materials and noted the GDA has begun fundraising. A resident, Kathy Foy, provided additional history of Highway 50 and the Rock Island Trail and referred listeners to rockislandvisitorcenter.com for more information.
The board’s agreement on fee and utility waivers was recorded in the minutes as a consensus of the aldermen and city staff; the minutes do not record a formal motion or roll-call votes on the waivers.
