Re-Open The Community Center Updates
December 08, 2017
Ohio Historic Site Preservation Advisory Board reviewed our nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. The OHSP Advisory Board voted unanimously to forward our nomination to the Department of Interior, National Park Service for further consideration. Our nomination package will be forwarded to the National Park Service by the end of December and a final determination is expected within 90 days after receipt.
October 25, 2017
The Newton Falls Community Center/Historic U.S.O. Club is mentioned on the 2017 List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites.
October 21, 2017
We hosted a brief ceremony to celebrate the receiving of a historic plaque from the Trumbull County Historical Society recognizing the Newton Falls U.S.O. Building as a significant historic structure in Trumbull County. Remarks were made by Steve Simpson, President of the Newton Falls Preservation Foundation and Bruce Bille, a Board member of the USO of Northern Ohio, operating out of the USO Support Office at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station. The plaque will be held by the NFPF until such time the Newton Falls Village Council makes a motion and votes to attach this distinguished plaque to the building.
Mr. Bille has stated that the U.S.O. of Northern Ohio is very interested in meeting to discuss how the U.S.O. might partner with us once the Community Center is re-opened.
September 25, 2017
We received a letter from the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office confirming receipt of the additional information required for the National Register of Historic Places nomination application.
September 13, 2017
We have provided additional information, as requested by the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office thus, completing the nomination form for the National Register of Historic Places.
August 22, 2017
The Trumbull County Historical Society has confirmed approval of our application for the Historic Recognition of the Community Center and the date for a celebration ceremony is tentatively set for Oct. 21. Details of the event are pending at this time.
August 18, 2017
We received a letter from the Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer for Inventory and Registration, Ohio State Historic Preservation Office outlining additional technical and substantive issues to be addressed before consideration for presentation to the Ohio Historic Site Preservation Advisory Board (OHSPAB). This 17 member panel is appointed by the Governor and meets 4 times per year. Our application will be reviewed on December 8th.
June 26, 2017
We received a letter from the Ohio Historic Preservation Office confirming receipt of our nomination package.
June 22, 2017
We have submitted the National Register of Historic Places Nomination package to the Ohio Historic Preservation Office.
June 19, 2017
At tonight’s N.F. Village Council meeting, Council members voted 3-2 to abolish the Ad-Hoc Committee, 50 days into their 90 day deadline.
June 05, 2017
At tonight’s N.F. Village Council meeting, Ad-Hoc Committee members Mr. Zamecnik and Mr. Stempert made a motion to allow the NFPF access to Community Center. This motion was defeated 3-2.
May 01, 2017
During an assembly earlier today, Dr. Everard Smith spoke to the Newton Falls High School history classes. He shared information about how and why the U.S.O. was formed and the background of these government facilities which were built just prior to WWII.
This evening at the N.F. Village Council meeting, Dr. Everard Smith gave a PowerPoint presentation during which he discussed the architecture, background and historical significance of the government built facilities used by the U.S.O., specifically Type “A” buildings. The Newton Falls U.S.O. building/Community Center is a Type “A” government building and is one of only four such buildings still in existence today. Our Community Center is one of only four Type “A” buildings still in existence in the United States and the only one in Ohio. Out of 201 buildings constructed by the government prior to WWII for use by the U.S.O., there are only 14 structures remaining.
During this same meeting, we gave a presentation to Council offering to conduct a new and updated assessment of the Community Center, help organize any necessary repairs or renovations at NO COST to the Village. Also, we would be willing to develop a business plan for the building. This proposal would remove any budget concerns the N.F. Village Council may have regarding the development of a business plan as well as any repairs/renovation and operation of the building going forward. We offered to raise the necessary funds through private fundraising and grants. NO additional tax money would be required or used toward this project.
Meghan Reed, Director for the Trumbull County Historical Society spoke about the mission of their organization and importance of preserving our local history.
N.F. Village Council members voted to establish an Ad-Hoc committee consisting of Councilmen Stempert and Zamecnik, charging them to work with us and report back to the body in 90 days.
April 30, 2017
Dr. Everard Smith gave a PowerPoint presentation to the general public in the social hall of the N.F. First Church of God, discussing the background, historical significance and architecture of government built facilities constructed in the early 1940’s and used by the U.S.O., specifically Type “A” buildings. Dr. Smith received his B.A. degree from Yale University and his Ph.D. in history from UNC Chapel Hill, specializing in military history. Nationally, Dr. Smith has contributed to the preservation of other U.S.O. buildings. Research that he provided to the Nevada State Historical Preservation Office was instrumental in placing the former U.S.O. in Hawthorne, Nevada, on the National Register of Historic Places (2005). He also advised the architectural firm responsible for the restoration of the black U.S.O. in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, now the National African-American Military Museum.
April 28, 2017
We have submitted an application to the Trumbull County Historical Society for recognition through their Historic Building Recognition Program for the Newton Falls U.S.O. Building/Community Center.
March 20, 2017
We received a letter from the National Register and Survey Manager of the State Historic Preservation Office regarding our National Register of Historic Places preliminary questionnaire. This letter stated that “Based on the submission, the property appears to meet the requirements for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.” A copy of this letter was also mailed to Mayor Lyle Waddel.
March 28, 2017
We gave a presentation during tonight’s N.F. Parks and Recreation Commission meeting entitled:
“Returning the Community Center to an Economically Viable and Productive Asset of the Community” which included the following topics:
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Anticipated Uses for the Building
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National Register of Historic Places
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Preliminary Renovation Considerations
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Renovation Phase (fund-raising)
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Preserving and Operating Phase
At this time, we asked for two things: 1) Access to the building to inventory furniture & fixtures and allow inspection(s) by professionals in order to identify specific construction or renovation needs and determine related cost estimates. 2) Adequate time to complete these tasks with periodic and comprehensive status reports to Parks and Recreation Commission and Village Council. (est. 6 months) NOTE: A copy of the presentation was handed out to Commission members.
Commission members (3 of 5 members were in attendance) voted to recommend demolition of the Community Center.
The Park and Recreation Commission duties are to review and evaluate the policies, development, maintenance, conditions and operations of the City’s parks, playgrounds, Community Center and/or other recreational facilities and programs and then forwards its recommendations on how to best meet the community’s recreational needs to Council for its consideration.
March 14, 2017
We submitted additional information to the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office.This information completes the National Register of Historic Places preliminary questionnaire for the Newton Falls U.S.O. Building/Community Center.
October 15, 2016
We gave a presentation to the N.F. Village Council, seeking to form a partnership with the Village in order to Re-Open the Community Center; Beautify the West River Park including lighting of the Falls; Enhance the Village’s park system by repairing &/or replacing playground equipment.
April 25, 2016
A National Register of Historic Places preliminary questionnaire was submitted to the State Historic Preservation Office for the Newton Falls U.S.O. Building/Community Center.