Winona Studies Options For New Town Hall
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
WINONA LAKE - Another option for a combination police headquarters and town hall was discussed by the town council at its meeting this morning.
Council president Brent Wilcoxson introduced plans submitted by architect Jim McCleary to build a town hall on city-owned land on Fort Wayne Street.
The proposed building would be 5,200 square feet, plus a four-vehicle police garage. Wilcoxson said the cost to build the building would be approximately $365,000 plus site preparation costs.
The council agreed to look further into this option, including asking town engineer Larry Long to prepare an estimate for site costs.
"It's intriguing that the lots are in the town's name - we wouldn't be held hostage by the ever-friendly park department," said councilman Randy Ruppel.
Wilcoxson also asked the town departments that would be housed in the town hall to look at the plans to see what changes could be made to cut costs.
The council has not abandoned the Quonset hut as another possible location for a town hall, and other options include building a new building for the police department on street department land while renovating the community building for town offices.
At its last meeting, the council voted to reject an offer to buy a portion of Kingsway Suites, which would include 6,200 square feet, for $395,000. Estimates to renovate the Quonset hut have been from $350,000 to $400,000.
The council accepted resignations from two Winona Lake police officers: Steve Espinoza, who is deputy marshal for the town, and Mike Albert. Espinoza's resignation will be effective Nov. 7, and Albert's will be effective Nov. 14.
Albert will continue as a reserve officer, and both men offered to help train their replacements.
The council agreed, at the request of Espinoza and Albert, to meet at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday in an executive session held as an exit interview.
In other business:
• The council agreed to instruct town attorney Jim Walmer to begin legal action against the owners of Merrywood Trailer Park for $17,000 in unpaid sewer bills. The town also will pursue forcing the trailer park to comply with town requests to fix problems with sewer line infiltration.
• Street department superintendent Kim Endicott reported that asphalt work on the island will start Friday. The council also agreed on specifications for island homeowners on Administration and Auditorium streets who want to install sidewalks between the street and the new interior sidewalks. Copies of the specifications will be available at the clerk-treasurer's office.
The council's next meeting will be at 6 p.m. Nov. 11 in the community building. [[In-content Ad]]
WINONA LAKE - Another option for a combination police headquarters and town hall was discussed by the town council at its meeting this morning.
Council president Brent Wilcoxson introduced plans submitted by architect Jim McCleary to build a town hall on city-owned land on Fort Wayne Street.
The proposed building would be 5,200 square feet, plus a four-vehicle police garage. Wilcoxson said the cost to build the building would be approximately $365,000 plus site preparation costs.
The council agreed to look further into this option, including asking town engineer Larry Long to prepare an estimate for site costs.
"It's intriguing that the lots are in the town's name - we wouldn't be held hostage by the ever-friendly park department," said councilman Randy Ruppel.
Wilcoxson also asked the town departments that would be housed in the town hall to look at the plans to see what changes could be made to cut costs.
The council has not abandoned the Quonset hut as another possible location for a town hall, and other options include building a new building for the police department on street department land while renovating the community building for town offices.
At its last meeting, the council voted to reject an offer to buy a portion of Kingsway Suites, which would include 6,200 square feet, for $395,000. Estimates to renovate the Quonset hut have been from $350,000 to $400,000.
The council accepted resignations from two Winona Lake police officers: Steve Espinoza, who is deputy marshal for the town, and Mike Albert. Espinoza's resignation will be effective Nov. 7, and Albert's will be effective Nov. 14.
Albert will continue as a reserve officer, and both men offered to help train their replacements.
The council agreed, at the request of Espinoza and Albert, to meet at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday in an executive session held as an exit interview.
In other business:
• The council agreed to instruct town attorney Jim Walmer to begin legal action against the owners of Merrywood Trailer Park for $17,000 in unpaid sewer bills. The town also will pursue forcing the trailer park to comply with town requests to fix problems with sewer line infiltration.
• Street department superintendent Kim Endicott reported that asphalt work on the island will start Friday. The council also agreed on specifications for island homeowners on Administration and Auditorium streets who want to install sidewalks between the street and the new interior sidewalks. Copies of the specifications will be available at the clerk-treasurer's office.
The council's next meeting will be at 6 p.m. Nov. 11 in the community building. [[In-content Ad]]