Agenda - Economic Development Authority - 02/09/2004

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OLD TOWN HALL By: Megan Wald, Associate Planner Background: The City has been attempting to renovate the old town hall, located on Highway #47 for many years. The City received a grant in the amount of $16,000 several years ago to assist with the needed renovations. However the grant does not cover the costs to complete further improvements to the site, which include re -roofing, front door and sidewalk repairs to be ADA compliant, bathroom and ceiling not complete, the original floor is still in and will need to be redone, and the heating and air conditioning duct work is not established. Observations: The Old Town Hall has been the topic of many discussions for several years. The building is a historical point in Ramsey and it would seem appropriate to utilize the building for some designated purpose (or maybe for more than one purpose). However, utilizing town hall in its current location does pose some challenges. The historic building is located between a daycare center and a bank; both commercial uses require intensive parking during peak hours. Currently both businesses do not have additional land in the event they would want to expand their parking spaces to accommodate their parking needs during peak hours. A private street also accesses town hall, which is problematic for several reasons. The City does not have a public access easement for the street and therefore the City does not have control of the street or right-of-way. The private street does not meet public street standards in width and required right of way. In the event the City was able to obtain the required public access easement from the private owners to convert the private street to a public street, additional land would need to be obtained from the bank and daycare (in order to meet public street standards) due to the fact that a wetland is located immediately adjacent to the private street and therefore additional pavement and right of way could not be expanded much further west. As previously stated, the bank and daycare facilities are already in need of additional parking and would have challenges if additional land had to be converted to the right of way. The parking situation within the town hall site is non- existent. The City has an agreement with the bank to utilize their parking lot when needed. At a past City Council work session, the City Council discussed the idea of moving the historic town hall building to the Town Center. It is thought that the building would receive more exposure and use if it was relocated to the Town Center. The City Council asked that the EDA discuss this option and provide a recommendation. Recommendation: The Town Hall is located in a spot that poses several issues to renovate and create a setting where the building could be utilized and receive it's deserved historic recognition. Relocating the building to Ramsey's Town Center seems appropriate as the center of Ramsey will contain a piece of it's history. The building could be utilized for several different purposes and possibly generate some revenue. Since the old town hall site is designated as a historic site, staff will need to research what process the City will need to go through in order to move the building off the historically designated site. It is staff s understanding that the Town Center LLC is excited about the possibility of moving town hall to the Town Center.