Listed as a "tiny home" on Airbnb, this cabin at the Linn County Park has received an average 4.63 stars out of a possible five stars. (Airbnb.com)
By Charlene Sims, info@linncountyjournal.com
MOUND CITY – Linn County Public Works Director Shaun West told the Linn County Commissioners on Tuesday, Jan. 21, that he would like to have a productive discussion with the commissioners and Linn County Park Manager Sheri Loveland about plans for putting cabins at the park on Airbnb.
“ What I would like to avoid is three months of prep work that doesn’t end in any answer or just in more frustration,” West said. “That prep work takes a lot of time and effort.”
Commissioner Alison Hamilton had asked for some bullet points of what they were going to be discussing. She said she did not want the meeting to be confrontational.
“She has clear opinions on the direction she wants it to go,” said Hamilton. “I want to listen to her. I want to understand. I am looking at this in the furnishings that she needs.”
Commissioner Jason Hightower said that he would like to have all the figures from the different companies and also the costs involved for the county.
West said that he would get those to the commissioners.
Hamilton and Commission Chair Jim Johnson questioned the need to purchase a commercial washer and dryer when there already was a washer and dryer at the shop at the park.
West said there was one at the shop and the condition is out on the shop floor.
“I think the number of hours it takes to go through the loads of bedding with just that washer and dryer out there because it is an older unit,” said West. “I think that there are a lot of concerns we need to go over to make sure everybody’s on the same page and understands the complications of it.”
Commissioner Jason Hightower said that he would like to know what the county is going to make off of these and what is going to pay for this as well.
“Is it viable or not?” Hightower asked. “It’s not just the cost, it’s how much added income are we going to receive.”
Hamilton said that she did not think that the cabins were ready to accommodate Airbnb guests, referring to bad reviews that had been received online.
“I don’t think we are ready to put it on there,” she said. “The water, there’s wood that is rotting. There are some upgrades that I feel need to happen. We had to comp two weekends to someone that was from La Cygne because of the water damage.”
She said the concern for her is that the county needed to have a clear vision on what it wants the cabins to look like before advertising on Airbnb. She suggested making a strategic plan for the next six months.
One of the cabins currently on Airbnb has received mixed reviews (here is a link to the listing). Despite some quality complaints – and a domestic dispute in a neighboring cabin that spilled over into the Airbnb rental – the overall grade for the cabin averaged 4.63 stars out of five. Many of the guests praised Loveland as a host.
Johnson asked if the park had the manpower to make it fly.
“The largest thing that frustrates staff and the administration is to continue to have the discussion without the tools to finish the discussion,” said West. “We’d like to pick a direction, stick to it and drive on. But we keep stop-and-go jerking with this whole thing, and it just wears you out.”
Renting out the cabins at Linn County Park on Airbnb was a priority for former commissioner Danny McCullough, whose term in office ran out earlier in January.
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