Our New Office
We have begun a new project!
November 1, 2016 – Move In Update
Move-in day is finally here! We have come a long way from the beginning. We just added the finishing touches to the site, check out our progress below.
Special Finds from the Deconstruction
October 5, 2016 – Building Update
From lighting fixtures, flooring to framing everything is on the move. Check out our Facebook page for more pictures!
August 30, 2016 – Time is flying by!
The progress continues to surge forward. Each day, I see my carpenters, electricians, laborers and finishers hard at work. The apartments on the 2nd floor are in the finishing stage. The gentleman working on the old trim is doing an amazing job. His background is in woodworking, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the experience and care he’s bringing to the job! My carpenters are busily finishing the drywall on the main level, as well as erecting the frames for the storage units. And, I’ve been working a few days each week to get the cabinet bases refinished/painted. We’re still shooting for a November 1 opening…You think time generally moves quickly, this brings new meaning to “time is flying by!”
July 25, 2016 – Water and Gas
From a little tiny hole, to a massive digging project….thankfully, we never loose our cool! Check out our recent Facebook album with pictures of our latest project.
July 20, 2016 – KCHA Interview
July 8, 2016 – Building Updates
Many, many apologizies for my lack of updates to our rehab project on N. Grand! In the last several months, the contractors, plumbers, electricians, inspectors, technology advisors, etc. have been working like mad to get Shankland Insurance moved in by fall.
The wiring and plumbing has all been pulled/installed. That was hard – for me! Deciding exactly where I want all the light fixtures and outlets and switches….caused a little panic on my part. In the end, I think I did pretty good under the gun. Maybe that’s the key – don’t spend too much time mulling it over, and changing your mind. Just go with your gut! And, of course, the excellent professional advice of my electrician and plumber. Once that was complete, the foam insulation was blown in. That makes such an impact on the sound barrier factor as well as the temperature control. You would assume the second floor would be hotter than blazes these past few weeks with all our hot and humid weather, but it was pleasantly comfortable! The drywall is “up” on the second floor in the apartments. The mudding and taping is endless, it seems.
On the main level, we’re a little behind on the concrete floor. My husband is the general on the project, and wants to be involved in this part of the rehab, but has been called to other duties these past few weeks. With any luck, the floor will be poured this week, yet. Once that sits for a few days, the drywall installation can commence! THEN it will get real 🙂
We had a booth at the Party in the Park on 6/24 and had a wonderful turnout. We received many words of encouragement and interest in all the changes. I had a few nostalgic items I found on display. Thank you to all who came out, and to those who weren’t able to come, watch for an open house announcement!
March 23, 2016 – Building updates
I continue to be asked “How’s your building coming?” From the outside, it looks as though it’s been on a slow progression, but there’s a lot going on inside! The demo is complete, and new walls are being built. The windows – all 33 of them – will be delivered on Friday 3/25. Our hope is to have the installation begin on Monday, 3/28 if the weather cooperates.
The electrician and plumber will be starting within 2 weeks, and major decisions are being made re: fixtures, layout, etc. Stacy and I are excited about the old railroad items, general office documents and memorabilia we have found, or that has been given to us, to work with to add some special historical touches to the finished office space.
Our hope is to be moved over to this new location, 1006 N. Grand Avenue, by the end of the Summer! Keep your eyes open for an Open House announcement toward that time!
January 19, 2016 – New Building Update
The Grand Avenue project continues to progress quickly! The roof has been completed and looks wonderful, along with most of the tuckpointing (brick work). We are now moving on to demo the inside of the building! Our crew has removed, and will preserve, as much of the original woodwork as possible to use in our finished office space. Things are moving along and we continue to be excited to see changes as they are made!
October 13, 2015
Back in February of this year, my husband asked me if I had given any thought to that “old brick building on N. Grand”. To which I replied, “Nope…why?”
He says, “do you think that would be a good location for your office?” To which, I promptly respond – “Oh my gosh! I don’t know, Honey. That building is beautiful, but in terrible shape. I don’t think we can take that on right now.”
I should NEVER underestimate the vision my husband has when looking at a rehab project. Not only is he talented beyond measure, but he loves to rehab what’s already there – bringing something back to life and putting it to good use. Our New Office photo
We decided to take a peek, and we were immediately taken by the location, the building, and the history! We were able to purchase the building, rezone and through the hard work of many (Charles City Chamber, CC Main Street, CC Revitalization, CC Council, CC Engineer and Inspector, Connie Parson, CC Zoning, First Citizens National Bank, NIACC Small Business Development Center, Main Street Iowa Design Assistance, prayers and well wishes from our good friends, family and so many people in the community) we have now been awarded a major grant through the Main Street Iowa Economic Development.
Stacy J. Ackerson and I are overjoyed, and humbled by the outpouring of support, the well wishes, and the hours of help by the above mentioned committees and members.
The Shankland Insurance office will hopefully be operating from that location by next Fall. We are also planning two 1 bedroom apartments on the second floor, and adding storage rental units off the back.
Press Release
“Charles City awarded Main Street Challenge Grant
Fourteen Communities Selected for Project Award”
October 12, 2015 (Des Moines, Iowa) — The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) on Monday awarded $924,000 in Main Street Iowa Challenge Grants to 14 communities around the state. The grants will benefit local improvement projects such as façade upgrades and restoration, upper floor rehabilitation and remodeled spaces for expanding downtown businesses.
Picture from Our New OfficeIncluded among the awards was a $55,000 grant to Community Revitalization of Charles City for a building rehabilitation project at 1006 North Grand Ave. Staci and Stacy Ackerson purchased the former Charley Western Railroad Office building, which has sat closed for a good number of years, and plan to restore and remodel it to house commercial rental space on the first floor and two residential rental units on the second floor.
The grant announcement was made during a ceremony held at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. In attendance representing Charles City along with the Ackersons were Community Revitalization Board Chair DeLaine Freeseman, city council members Jerry Joerger and Michael Hammond, along with Community Development Director Mark Wicks.
“The Main Street Iowa Challenge grants have proven to be catalysts for the revitalization of Iowa’s historic main streets,” said IEDA Director Debi Durham. “These projects represent the ongoing commitment the people of our state – both our elected officials and private citizens — have to the revitalization of our historic downtown districts. Rehabilitated buildings create opportunities for new business in Iowa communities, and new businesses mean new jobs.”
The grants are administered through IEDA’s Iowa Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Iowa programs. The funding will be distributed in the form of matching grants to the selected Main Street programs. The estimated total project cost of the 14 projects is over $8 million.
“Each project must provide at least a dollar-for-dollar cash-match,” explained Main Street Iowa State Coordinator Michael Wagler. “Overall, these projects will leverage eight times the state’s investment into bricks and mortar rehabilitation. These projects will have a significant economic impact within each district.”
Wicks noted that the Charles City project will not only bring the once stately two-story brick structure built prior to the 1900s back to life, but preserve it for years to come.
“In addition, it will also address a need for transitional rental housing for new corporate hires as well as help improve the overall look of that area,” he said. “We’re very excited about this project and the impact it will have.”
The Challenge Grant program is funded through an appropriation from the Iowa Legislature. Since the first appropriation in 2002 through 2014, approximately $5.9 million in state and federal funds have leveraged over $37 million of private reinvestment into 110 projects in 43 Main Street Iowa commercial districts across the state.
July 17, 2015
We have some exciting news to share with you!
Shankland Insurance will be moving to a new location, hopefully by the Spring of 2016! Owner Staci Ackerson purchased the old Charlie Western Railroad general office (also more recently the Front Door) on Grand Ave. The building has a lot of wonderful character, but will need a total overhaul before we can call it home. We are all so excited for the new space and can’t wait to see how the finished product! Keep checking our Facebook page and back here for updates on how things are coming along.