By Robert Barron, Staff Writer
Enid News and Eagle
ENID —
Cheri Ezzell is renewing an old idea in her quest to finish up fundraising for the former Newman’s building, which will become a downtown nonprofit center.
The Sidewalk Superintendent idea was conceived by the late Heinie Bass of Bass Construction, when the Newman’s building was reconstructed in 1942 following a fire. A sign placed along the top of the construction site offered free sidewalk superintendent certificates.
Ezzell has shaped the concept a little differently. For $50, you can be a sidewalk superintendent and tell Ezzell what should be done to the building. Ezzell, executive director of Community Development Support Association, only has $90,000 remaining to conclude the fundraising drive and begin full-scale remodeling of the building.
“It was built from concrete and steel, which was very modern for the time,” Ezzell said. “We are moving forward and people are interested in it.”
All of the funding is matched, so $1 donated actually becomes $3. The $90,000 left to be raised will trigger a Mabee Foundation matching grant of $320,000 that will conclude the financing for the $2.5 million project.
“The $90,000 actually becomes $410,000,” she said. “But it has to be done by Sept. 30 to qualify.”
Currently, new windows are being installed in the front of the building. The windows are pale green and will match the architecture of the structure. CDSA purchased the building with funds it had saved, which took time and careful planning, but Ezzell and her staff were dedicated. The nonprofit raises money from federal and state grants and is a member of United Way of Enid and Northwest Oklahoma. It has a $3 million budget this year.
Ezzell has said the nonprofit is a business. Work on the building will convert it to office space that will serve not only CDSA, but also other nonprofits that lease space. She expects to have up to 10 other organizations in the remodeled building. CDSA and the other nonprofits will enjoy such efficiencies as shared space and services, like reception, phone systems to help cut operational costs.
The renovation also will take the largest vacant building in downtown Enid and bring it back to life. Location of the nonprofit center there will bring more people downtown, who will in turn utilize other businesses.
“It will be good for the downtown area,” Ezzell said.
