Situation: Emmetsburg Community Development Corporation (ECDC), the economic development agency for City of Emmetsburg (Iowa), in 2009 retained Hanser & Associates – and our Des Moines-based partners, TPG Companies, Inc. for financial feasibility and RDG Planning & Design for architectural planning – to produce a feasibility study and actionable plan regarding the outdated clubhouse/community center for the community’s leaders. The Emmetsburg Country Club facility, constructed in 1947, is located at the waterfront on 1,000-acre Five Islands Lake and adjacent to the golf course in Kearny State Park, the only golf course located on land in an Iowa State Park.

PR Action: Hanser & Associates, with experience gained through similar public input projects, began by conducting executive interviews with 23 community leaders to identify and summarize the major issues/questions and establish leaders’ precise goals. We then got answers through a scientific (quantitative) telephone survey of 388 residents to determine what they wanted and would support with their dollars, followed by a focus group to analyze/interpret the findings (qualitative). Details included the size of the new facility, frequency of use and residents willingness to support it with their gifts and tax dollars.

With the solid research as a basis, RDG Planning & Design prepared preliminary architectural design (square footage, etc.) and preliminary cost estimates for the new facility to fulfill what the residents said they want: a 14,000-square-foot community center.

TPG Companies then utilized the design and detailed data to project the financial feasibility of the proposed facility and demonstrated the viability, with positive net revenues.

Results: With broad community support documented, we recommended action by ECDC and presentation of the feasibility study’s results to the public. Action is under consideration by the City Council of City of Emmetsburg in early-2010.

Posted: February 8, 2010 at 11:12 am by bhanser