Published Tuesday, August 27, 2002
for building, funding plans
Herald Staff Writer
Church Superintendent Wilbert G. Hadden offered his vision for a multi-purpose community center on Idaho Street in Farrell to Farrell council Monday.
What he couldn't offer were details that would bring council to part with city-owned land.
Rev. Hadden wants to build the $1.1 million center at Spearman Avenue, where the church he is pastor of, Greater Mount Zion Church of God in Christ, Farrell, has held a tent revival for a few years.
He has a design for a block and brick building from John Hudson and verbal commitments from agencies such as Minority Health Center, Endorse Resistance of All Substance Abuse Everywhere, Behavioral Health Center, Singles Helping Singles and the Children of Zion day-care center, he said.
He doesn't have any money, but said that isn't a big issue to him.
"I know how to raise money," he said. "I think I know where I can get the money."
He wouldn't mention any possible funding sources but said the project would be privately funded and he knows several people who could contribute large sums of money.
Rev. Hadden, 60, who remembers Idaho's glory days as a business and cultural center, said the building would be a symbol for the Idaho area that better times are ahead.
"The building has to make a statement that we're here, we're going to stay and we're going to do something positive for the community," he said.
The city and Farrell Redevelopment Authority own some of the property Rev. Hadden is interested in, but St. Adalbert's Polish Club owns another part.
Council asked for more details on the project, including a business plan and funding scheme, before considering the property transfer.
Rev. Hadden said he will make his dream come true.
"It's going to come to pass," he said. "I just don't know how the pieces are going to fit together."
Hadden's dream is the second major development proposal to come before council this year.
In February, Rickey Johnson Sr. proposed building an eight-story circular tower catercornered from the site Rev. Hadden is interested in. He estimated construction would cost $250 million to $500 million.
Rev. Hadden said he "got caught up" in Johnson's plans and the "Why Not Idaho?" campaign, but considers his project independent of Johnson's.