John Hermanson continued to believe in a project to renovate the historic ticket booths at Franklin Field, even when the estimated cost rose way above his expectations.
That belief, along with the effort of volunteers and donors, led to a celebration Wednesday as it was announced $144,000 has been raised to renovate the booths where so much Marshalltown history was made.
The funds surpassed the original goal of $130,000.
"It feels great," Hermanson said. "What's made it worth all the effort is seeing so much wonderful response from the community."
Hermanson learned the booths were due to be demolished by the school district due to their deteriorating condition, which led him to partner with Jane Bauer and others from the community to raise funds to renovate them.
Bauer led the effort to raise the money in 10 weeks, bookended by a $25,000 grant from the Martha Ellen Tye Foundation and a $10,000 donation from Emerson Process Management Fisher Division.
More than 400 donors stepped up to contribute, including community members and alumni who have special memories of the field at Franklin Elementary School.
The field was formerly home to Marshalltown High School football games and track events.
"It's so overwhelming, I can't believe it," Bauer said of the donations.
Hermanson said he wants the booths to serve as historical markers and an entrance into the 13th Street business district and Iowa Veterans Home.
"It's preserving our history while looking to improve this important gateway for the future," he said.
Hermanson said they will present their progress to the Marshalltown School Board Monday with hopes bids would be let out to be approved by July 11. Work will go on after that with an expected completion date of late summer or early fall.
"It must - and now will - stand proud again," Hermanson said of the intersection of Main Street and 13th Street.
