Conceptual plans to renovate Allegan City Hall have been completed and a budget estimate puts the cost at $1,081,300.
At the city council meeting Monday, Oct. 9, during pre-session discussion, city manager Joel Dye asked council members if they would like to proceed with the project. He was directed to come back to the council with a budget plan on how to finance the project without adding to the millage.
Finance director Tracy Stull said the estimated cost was workable within the budget and would cost about $110,000 annually for 10 to 15 years at 2.5 percent interest.
GMB Architects were contracted for $11,200 to review current conditions at city hall and work with city staff to create plans for renovating it with the following goals:
• Create a public building that is inviting and accessible to all residents of the city
• Utilize the space within the existing city hall to create staff and visitor efficiencies
• Create places and opportunities for confidential discussions
• Incorporate flexibility in work station design with better use of technology
• Create a better HVAC system to eliminate extreme heat and cold differences
Renovations include upgrading the electrical services, adding an elevator that accesses the basement as well as the second floor, relocating the majority of city staff to the second floor in an open office environment, creating a waiting area and conference room on the first floor and improving the basement for better use for storage of documents and servers.
“The plans play up that it is a historic bank building and that’s what the reception area would look like,” Dye said. “Currently the lobby is pushed under a staircase.”
Councilman Charles Tripp asked if the renovations would still be suitable to meet the needs of city employees in the next 10-20 years.
Council member Nancy Ingalsbee said it sounded like a wonderful plan but it was still “putting lipstick on a pig” since it wouldn’t suit future needs.
Mayor Rachel McKenzie reminded council members that after seeking other locations for city hall, the community did not want the city to give up city hall.
“We can keep throwing ideas out for the next 20 years and do nothing,” she said.
The finance director said the staff could make it work.
“Most people don’t want us to move city hall so the best way is to make it accessible and this is the best plan so far,” she said.
Stotmeister suggested that with technology today, some employees would no longer need a brick and mortar building to work from and satellite offices might be the future.
Deb Leverence said people want city hall to be manned and suggested a bond from the general fund. Patrick Morgan asked the city manager to seek assistance in funding through some of the same grants now being offered to the public for renovations.
Dye said grants might be able to tie in a new streetscape for downtown, which was one of the ideas generated by the public in a recent public input open house discussion.
McKenzie said she was not comfortable redoing sidewalks downtown when some neighborhoods still don’t have any.
Dye said he will be prepared for a discussion on safe city sidewalks for the next pre-session meeting.
He also reported the EDC is seeking a proposal to hire a Brownfield Redevelopment Authority administrator for reimbursement to developers for removal of asbestos. The EDC will also present a new Allegan area profile brochure at the next city council meeting on Oct. 23.
A public hearing was also set for that date for comments on a Michigan Community Development Block Grant for renovations to the old J.C. Penney building. Developers, Lumberman Lofts, LLC plan to invest $1,372,500 in the building for boxed retail space and apartments (see the public notice on page B2).
The city is also closing on a deal to sell off the last parcel of land in the industrial park and the old Elks Lodge has also been sold on a private buy-sell agreement with plans for an events center.
Virginia Ransbottom can be contacted at vransbottom@allegannews.com or at (269) 673-5534.
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