MUSCATINE, Iowa —“I’m not doing this for me.”

That’s what John Haskins told around a dozen people at Elly’s Tea and Coffee in downtown Muscatine Thursday night during an open house gathering for the Friends of the Old Barn.

Haskins has been President of the Friends group since its inception in 2006. He has spearheaded the effort to preserve the dairy barn that was built in 1926 on the grounds of the Muscatine County Home farm. The Friends are ready to host a number of events in the restored barn. But one thing is holding them back: lack of adequate restroom facilities.

Haskins has asked the Muscatine County Board of Supervisors for permission to use and renovate the former caretaker’s cottage adjacent to the barn as a place to store equipment and tools — and for the restroom. Supervisors Kas Kelly and Esther Dean are supportive. But Supervisors Tom Furlong, Wayne Shoultz, and Dave Watkins aren’t convinced.

Haskins urged supporters Thursday night to contact the Supervisors. He says the problem is providing toilet facilities that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which is a requirement of the city.

Haskins says he was told by Steve Boka, Muscatine Planning, Zoning and Building Safety director, “If you have one complaint, I’m going to shut you down. That’s my job.”

Haskins said that one unisex handicapped bathroom will meet the minimum requirements.

Friends Vice President Dave Metz said by taking control of the cottage, the group wouldn’t have to spend $100,000 on new restroom facilities. He added the requirements for making the cottage restroom ADA compliant aren’t difficult, and electricians and plumbers are lined up to do the work. “We’re going to do it all,” he said, adding it won’t cost taxpayers a dime.

Demolishing the cottage and clearing the land would cost Muscatine County around $20,000.

The Supervisors are slated to take up the issue during their Monday, Nov. 23, evening meeting.

Metz said the Friends have one week to get the figures together to present to the Supervisors “so everyone knows what our assets are and how we are going to do it.”

Metz said the Friends would like to start doing a couple of programs a year, beginning with the  proposed program, “New Life,” in spring 2010. The event would feature  a petting barnyard and milking demonstrations.

“Eventually what we want to grow this into is developing school programs,” Metz said. “But if you bring in that number of kids every day, you need restrooms.”

“I want the young people of Muscatine to see that building and see that structure,” Haskins said of the barn. “That’s how young minds get going.” He added that getting control of the cottage is the starting point for the whole program.

Supervisor Kas Kelly attended Thursday night’s open house. She urged the Friends to ask the Supervisors to appoint a Supervisor to serve on the Friends Board. “If I can work it into my schedule, I would be the first to volunteer,” she said. “Right now, the five members of this Board (of Supervisors) are really interested in what everyone has to say,” she added.