Raise the Roof!

Help us “Raise the Roof!”

The First Street Community Center, 221 1st St. NW, in Mount Vernon, Iowa, is in need of your help.

The former High School building, which serves as a community center housing a dance troupe, a community theater, Music School, a Farmer’s Market, a black box theater and a business incubator, is used by many nonprofit, educational and small business entrepreneurs.

The local owners of the building, Rick and Trude Elliott, are struggling to maintain the current roof and need $100,000 for a new one.

This is what Rick had to say:

“Our rubber roof was put in the First Street Building pre 1990 by the school with a standard 20 year warranty. When we moved into the building in 2007 all roofs were tight. The following year the area above Blooming Acres flower shop began to leak. Over the next 8 years I patched and sealed as best I could until in 2016 we installed a new roof at a cost of $26,000.

“In 2010, the area in the SW corner of the gym began to leak. Once again patching and caulking temporarily sealed the problem until finally in 2018 I was removing full garbage cans full of water several times during showers. We were able to get a price of $56,000 to re-roof approximately one third of the main roof which was done in 2020.

“This past spring the final section of roof began leaking. To repair it will cost nearly $100,000.00. Whatever help that can be given to maintain existing businesses as well as maintaining present public access to the First Street Community Center would be greatly appreciated.”

We realize that $100,000 is a daunting number, any help is appreciated, but if 1,000 people each gave $100, we could make our goal. Give what you can. Any help is appreciated.

Thank you for your consideration in keeping this important part of the Mount Vernon community alive!