New Government Center Floor Plans

You'll have to pardon the size of the image as I had to condense it down from a fold-out (17x11) page.

In short this plan shows the existing building on the west side of Main Street. The drawing at the bottom is actually the upper level (enter on street level) and the drawing at the top is the lower level. In the very top left corner of the image to the left is the existing drive through which will remain in place.

It is noted that the majority of walls are only partitions and can be relocated with only minor modifications. The building was built about 50 years ago according to the "Inspection Report for 134 South Main Street" produced by Keller Consulting Engineers (from which the drawing above also came). It is also noted that there are .74 acres of land and 56 parking spaces. The building was previously a furniture store. In the report, issued September 28, 2006 (based on the letter on page 1) it is also noted that there is a vacant parcel of land adjacent to the site potentiallly available for future purchase that has 16,500 square feet.

At Monday's meeting Council did vote and unanimously approved the purchase of both pieces of land for $1.45 million. It was also noted the facility was in move-in condition.

It would seem at this point there are a few angles to consider where we are at:

1. Process and Procedure.
2. Needs and Wants.
3. Costs.
4. Community.

Prior to proceeding, I want to say I'm stating this as an exercise of caution. It seems to me that given the impasse we seemed to be at everyone was ready to jump at an alternative and it came up fast and was approved faster. I don't know the details in terms of Council's options or cost considerations. How much more could be borrowed, what would happen to other facilities, etc. So I throw this out there to think about, especially as budget meetings are coming up for 2007.

I've noted on numerous occassions my concern with the process and procedure. The Council violated the sunshine law and is being sued at this time by a citizen for doing so. Further, the approach has not changed. At last month's meeting it was noted no action would take place until the vacancy in the 3rd Ward was filled. On Monday, both purchases were approved, and then the vacancy was filled. This remains a serious problem for our community because it does not appear to be a one time occurrence, but instead is the accepted way of business.

I wish I had copies of the Council's proposed plans and the Citizens' Committee plans to compare to this one. Having listened to all the needs for space, security, etc., all summer long it now seems the needs were dropped to accomodate a different solution than those already offered. I asked on Monday about the ability of this facility to meet the needs of the police. I want them to have facilities that allow them to do their job and keep themselves, other workers, and all of us safe. I was told it was ready as is - it was a bank - it was safe. It wasn't built as a bank, and as I recall it was a loan/mortgage center with a drive through, not a full blown bank branch with a vault and heightened security measures. We heard about seperate bathrooms, holding cells, arsenals, ports with garage doors to secure prisoner transfers, among other things as needed in the plans. None of these exist and the interior walls are 'partitions'.

We all know that everything costs money. We still don't know what the Committee spent developing the plans that were not approved, or the report that I've pulled much information from. Over the summer it was asked how much was spent and no figure was provided. We still don't know what the costs of the committee were to the community. Relocation assumes a multitude of costs, from stationary, to the physical move, furnishing, increased maintenance, etc. The borough also now owns two additional properties to maintain. One it says it will keep (Council Chambers) was scheduled to have $600,000 in renovations that never took place and does require ADA compliance to be met. The other is a historic building in the heart of the community, that I don't believe anyone thinks will be kept. Any alteration to the interior of the newly purchased property will also cost money.

The Community expressed tremendous desire to keep the borough government in downtown, under budget, and to protect green/open space. These purchases keep the government downtown, the budget question will be determined in the future as I just mentioned, and now an opportunity to preserve a new piece of land - the former Commercial House property, in addition to Hall Park exists. The entire property is not currently green, but a significant portion is, and I would hope that the Borough will give the same consideration to this parcel as it does to Hall Park.

What do you think? Good deal - or no deal? We don't have Howie or however many girls holding silver briefcases, but that doesn't mean we can't discuss it. As I mentioned later this month budget talks begin and that will give a good indication of how much this will really cost the community. What about adding open space? Should the park and new green space be preserved? What environmental tests need to be conducted to demonstrate the safety of 30 Belvidere and 134 South Main? What do you see that wasn't discussed or considered to this point? Now is the time to talk about it.