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TO: Mayor Robert J. O’Connor
FROM: John Russell, grant writer
DATE: February 3, 2017
SUBJECT:
This item is requesting approval to apply for a Kane County Grand Victoria Riverboat Fund grant in the amount of $10,000, to assist in returning the Sentry Statue to the top of Aurora's historic GAR Museum.
PURPOSE:
The Sentry Statue stood atop the GAR building from its opening in 1878 until 2008, when the Statue was taken down during repair of the GAR Museum roof. After 130 years, the Statue was in poor condition, and actually broke apart during the removal process. Today, the GAR Memorial Museum and the GAR Memorial Commission, divisions of the Aurora Community Services Department, are working to recreate the Sentry Statue and have it re-installed on the roof of the Museum. The project also will involve repairing the original Sentry Statue, and putting it in a place of prominence inside the GAR Museum.
BACKGROUND:
The Sentry Statue project is an important piece of the overall restoration of the GAR Museum. The Sentry was in the plans for the GAR Post 20 Hall from the very beginning, and today’s Museum will not be complete without it. The symbolism to the men and women who designed the GAR Hall was clear -- this was a memorial to the common soldier who did his duty at the front lines and perhaps gave his life to preserve and protect our nation. The Sentry Statue is the embodiment of the mission of the GAR Memorial Commission and the GAR Memorial Museum -- to honor the everyday soldier
DISCUSSION:
The GAR Museum has received rough estimates from three companies which specialize in restoration of historic sculptures and artifacts. The average estimate for the work was $45,000. We are seeking $10,000 from the Grand Victoria Riverboat fund toward the project. The City of Aurora Community Services Department has designated $5,000 toward the project. And we are seeking additional grants and funding from other agencies. Account numbers for the project are: Expense Account 231-1361-465.73-42; and Revenue Account 231-1361-337.30-10.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The GAR Museum is a historic centerpiece for downtown Aurora. And for 130 years, the statue of the Sentry stood on top of the GAR Hall, a point of pride on the downtown landscape.
Restoring the Sentry Statue and returning it to the top of the GAR Museum will provide another unique attraction to downtown Aurora, visible to the thousands of residents and out-of-town visitors who drive and walk through downtown each day. We believe the Sentry can serve as a "beacon", enticing passers-by to pay a visit to the GAR Museum, where they will find educational and entertaining exhibits and information about the history of our local community and of our nation.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I request approval for the GAR Memorial Museum to apply for a $10,000 grant from the Kane County Grand Victoria Riverboat Fund to be used for the recreation and installation of the Sentry Statue atop the GAR Museum, and for repair of the original Statue.
cc: Alderman O’Connor, Chairman
Alderman Mervine
Alderman Bohman
Alderman Mesiacos, Alternate
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution to seek Kane County Riverboat Fund grant assistance to return the Sentry Statue to his post atop the GAR Memorial Museum.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the Sentry Statue is an important element of the overall restoration of the Aurora Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Museum; and
WHEREAS, the Sentry Statue stood as a point of pride on the downtown Aurora landscape for 130 years, until it was taken down for repair in 2008, and now needs to be recreated before being reinstalled atop the GAR Museum; and
WHEREAS, the Sentry Statue meets both the educational and economic redevelopment priorities of the Kane County Grand Victoria Riverboat Fund grant program. The Account Numbers for the Sentry project, for any assistance provided by the Riverboat Fund, are Expense Account 231-1361-465.73-42; and Revenue Account 231-1361-337.30-10
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: That the Aurora Grand Army of the Republic Museum and the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Commission are authorized to execute an application for Kane County Grand Victoria Riverboat Funds, a Funding Agreement and other necessary documents upon approval of the application by the Kane County Board, and any requests for payment and documentation required to be submitted by the City of Aurora for the dispersal of said funds.