Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 10/13/2005

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CASE # AUTHORIZE STAFF TO PROCEED WITH THE PROCESS OF MOVING AND RENOVATING THE OLD TOWN HALL By: Jason J. Schmidt, Management Intern Bacl~ground: Thc City Council discussed the Old Town Hall at their June 14, 2005 work session in response to a proposal from Landmark Bank stating they were interested in utilizing the building for additional office space. Staff was directed to obtain cost proposals for the c(~mpletion of the renovations and moving the Old Town Hall to a park within the Town Center along with the cost proposal to upgrade the private street to a public street along the west side of Landmark Bank if the building were to remain in its current location. Numerous improvements will need to be completed within the Old Town Hall in order to allow the building to be accessed and utilized by the public. Staff contacted KKE Architects, Inc., the architects that worked on the Old Town Hall in the late 90's, for the restoration cost proposal. The total construction cost came to $96,747, which includes a $20,000 structural repair contingency and $7,907 general contractor fee. Enclosed is a list oF the work that needs to be completed,..with the break down of the cost. The existing location of the Old Town Hall, which is bordered by a private street, [,andmark Bank, Children's World and Hwy 47 restricts the use of the building. The parcel does not contain any parking and is not easily conducive to the installation of an appropriate size parking lot. The property gains access from the private street and in ordcr lbr the building to be utilized by the City, the existing street needs to be upgraded to at public street. This option poses several problems, since a wetland and a large number of mature trees bound the private street to the west and private property and a sedimentation pond to the east. At'the Council Work Session on July 28, 2005, it was discussed that a retaining wall could be built at the edge of the wetland on the west side to alleviate the option of wetland mitigation. The approximate cost to widen the existing 24-t'oot street to a 28-foot street is $45,048, plus an additional 25% to allow for design, sta~kir~g, inspection, and project contingencies, which brings the cost to $56,300. This price does not include any cost to purchase, right-of-way, which would' be 50 feet from thc actiacent commercial properties. This information regarding the street is Presented in an el~fi;rt to better understand the costs of maintaining the building on its existing site. opportunity to move the building to a new location within one of the parks of Town Counter if one that has been discussed for some time.. The new location of the Old Town could be incorporated into one of the new parks or in conjunction with the pump ht)~tse It)cation. Potential uses of the building at the new location could be a historical l:i)rmatticm center about Ramsey, a meeting place for organizations or residents to host ,:vc~ts, ct'allt shows, a historical learning place for school children, or a historic museum.