Date: Fri 06-Nov-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

space-needs-construction

Full Text:

Town Gets Cost Estimates On Various Renovation Plans

BY STEVE BIGHAM

The cost to simply keep Edmond Town Hall open in the years to come could be as

much as $6 million, according to a recently completed municipal space needs

study.

That price would not even provide added space for new offices. It would simply

create more space for the existing offices, which are currently far too small.

Newtown is on the verge of a major overhaul of its municipal office space and

has brought in the experts to provide suggestions and cost estimates.

On Wednesday, town officials received a long list of different cost estimates

from Kaestle Boos Architects. The firm has put together 12 different scenarios

for the town to consider -- each with its own price tag. The costs estimates

address mechanical and code deficiencies in addition to physical needs.

The $6 million job at Edmond Town Hall would feature a 6,000-square-foot

addition to accommodate the offices of the first selectman, finance

department, town clerk, tax assessor, etc. It would also include a major

overhaul of the building's mechanical system (including a new elevator) and

electrical system.

Another scenario adds 15,000 square feet to town hall at a cost of almost $10

million. That addition would allow for more offices, such as building,

land-use and the borough offices. The additional usage will require the

construction of a parking garage behind the building at a cost of $900,000,

according to Mr Malek.

The construction of a 12,000-square-foot town hall annex would be about $2.5

million; site acquisition costs were not included. Another option would be a

25,000-square-foot town hall annex, which would include the offices of the

first selectman, town clerk, tax assessor, etc. A building that size would

cost the town nearly $5 million.

A renovation of Town Hall South to allow for the offices it once held to

return could cost as much as $3 million, even more if the police department on

the top floor is renovated. Town Hall South is a problem, according to Mr

Malek, because it has limited parking.

Those offices formerly at Town Hall South were moved to Canaan House at

Fairfield Hills two years ago due to the building's severe deterioration.

The demolition of Town Hall South, a popular idea with many residents, would

cost an estimated $481,000.

The cost to renovate the dilapidated Hook & Ladder building would cost nearly

$3 million, while demolition of the building would set the town back more than

$300,000. Most recommendations are calling for its demolition.

The construction of a new police facility was estimated to cost about $5

million and a new Hook & Ladder building would run around $3.3 million. The

construction of a new public safety building, which would include fire, police

and dispatch center, could cost more than $7 million.

The two highest estimated costs are for the utilization of Watertown Hall at

Fairfield Hills and/or the Gordon Fraser building on South Main Street. The

cost to demolish Watertown Hall could cost more than a million dollars,

including the asbestos abatement.

"Bury it," joked Bob Hall.

Municipal Space Committee member David Valerie requested that the cost

estimates include "swing space costs" for temporary usage of space. For

example, he said, the police department may have to be moved to a temporary

facility during construction. Architect Mark Weismann said the town may be

able to stagger the projects so that they do not force anyone out of their

existing space.

"Sort of like a domino effect," Mr Weismann said.

Mr Malek said the figures are simply estimates, which were generally

conservative.

"When we weren't sure about something we went high rather than low," he said.

"Hopefully everything will come down."

Mr Malek explained that if the town does decide to construct new buildings, it

does not take away the mechanical and code deficiencies in the existing

buildings.