Sullivan Opera House survey results are positive

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

The results of a survey conducted from mid-November through mid-January to gauge the community’s thoughts about the potential re-use and rehabilitation of McGregor’s Sullivan Opera House (old hardware store) have been released.

“I’m very pleased. The majority of responses were positive,” said Duane Boelman, who was recently hired as McGregor deputy clerk and to lead the city’s economic development efforts.

The survey was commissioned by the McGregor Historic Preservation Commission and city of McGregor, with help from the Technical Assistance to Brownfields program from Kansas State University.

Eighty-eight people responded to the survey, either online or through a paper questionnaire, which was more than anticipated, Boelman remarked. Of those respondents, about 51 percent live in McGregor. Three percent live in Marquette and 8 percent live elsewhere in Clayton County. Another 8 percent claimed a Prairie du Chien residency. Two percent of respondents live in McGregor/Marquette seasonally, but some who selected “other” could also be considered seasonal residents, according to the survey analysis.

The Sullivan Opera House building, located at 252-254 Main St., was originally constructed in 1877. Timothy J. (T.J.) Sullivan purchased the building in 1905 and, feeling there was a need for an opera house in the community, quickly remodeled the second floor to become the Sullivan Opera House. The building has sat empty, and fallen into disrepair, over the past 20 years, after housing a hardware store on the lower level and apartments upstairs. 

Most survey responses (83 percent) showed a desire for the building to be renovated or rehabilitated, while 14 percent of people thought it should be torn down.

The survey included eight questions, with all but one being multiple choice. The first question was left open-ended, asking people what they would like to see happen to the building in its next stage of life. Sixty-four of 88 respondents answered the question. The most popular response, at 27 percent, was a community center, while a theater and retail space each garnered 19 percent. Museum space accounted for 10 percent of the responses. 

Responses to the second question, which was multiple choice, asked for opinions on the five best uses for the building. The public’s thoughts mirrored the answers from the previous question. Fifty-eight percent of people selected entertainment/performing arts space, followed by small retail businesses at 50 percent, one-time events at 47 percent, community meetings at 43 percent and museum expansion at 41 percent. 

Satellite college or continuing education earned 33 percent of responses, which was noted as the key difference between questions one and two. The survey results said this indicates there could be other uses for the building that have not been considered by the wider community, but would be supported if suggested.

The feedback from those first two questions, Boelman said, follow the McGregor Historic Preservation Commission’s “thoughts as far as repurposing the building as a community event center.”

Question number three asked respondents to select which amenities or features should be included in the renovated building. Wi-Fi or other internet connectivity was overwhelmingly supported by respondents, at 61 percent. Forty-eight percent of people selected elevator, 47 percent a stage, 45 percent screens and audio visual equipment, 41 percent rooms for events with more than 50 people, 40 percent rooms to hold groups of 20 to 50 people and 40 percent patio seating on the side of the building. A full kitchen earned 33 percent of responses, a warming kitchen 20 percent and kitchen equipment and full dining service 20 percent. Historical interpretive display was not selected by anyone, despite a desire from many for expansion of the next door McGregor Historical Museum.

The survey’s fourth question moved away from the building’s uses toward how it should be supported in the future. Thirty-four percent of respondents said the city of McGregor, which currently owns the building, should retain partial interest in cooperation with another entity, like a non-profit or private developer. Selling the building to a private developer to manage for profit was supported by 17 percent of people, while 14 percent thought a non-profit should manage the building and maintain it using fees. Just 9 percent said the city should retain ownership and support it through increased property taxes or other public revenue sources.

The fifth and sixth questions asked respondents whether they know of organizations or businesses that are in need of space, as well as what type of space would be helpful for them. Nine respondents said organizations could use space for events/performances, community meetings, exhibits and/or parking. Fourteen respondents noted business ideas for the building could include co-working space, a small restaurant, hotel, community center with large entertaining area, cooperative retail space, education for teens and adults and a museum expansion. The city of McGregor will follow up with these individuals regarding their thoughts.

What are the next steps for the Sullivan Opera House? In December, the city received a $6,200 certified local government (CLG) grant from the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, to go toward hiring an engineer to design a stabilization plan for future rehabilitation of the building. Boelman said a meeting with an engineer was held last week. 

With that input, he added, “we can plan to start work on the first floor,” which is in rough shape. “Then, we can start fundraising. We’re also in the process of forming a non-profit.”

The city of McGregor and McGregor Historic Preservation Commission will investigate the structural and organizational feasibility of the preferences expressed in the survey. They will also consider forming potential partnerships with other groups in the community, like the McGregor Historical Museum, and figure out what will work best for the renovation and management of the building, particularly focusing on obtaining outside funding.