Edgerton narrows its city hall options to two
Options rejected
Here's a look at the three options the ad hoc city hall committee ruled out Wednesday:
-- Renovating the existing building. This option could cost about $191,000 "to really get this building to stop falling apart," architect Jonathan Parker said. The building probably still wouldn't be good for more than five or 10 years without further expense, he said.
Renovation also wouldn't solve the building's space inadequacy. The 100-year-old building is 3,100 square feet, and officials have estimated the city needs about 5,000 square feet for adequate storage, office and meeting space.
-- Leasing or buying space in Fulton Square, the downtown condominium and retail development. Five thousand square feet of space would cost about $1.1 million, and the city would have to pay about $21,000 a year in condo fees and taxes.
Committee members said putting City Hall in Fulton Square would defeat the development's purpose of economic development, and they didn't like the condo fees.
"The idea of a tax-free entity such as the city paying condo fees is ridiculous," Alderman Casey Burns said.
-- Putting City Hall in the city-owned Veterans Building. It would cost about $724,000 to turn the building into an efficient City Hall. Plus, the city would lose about $200,000 it could get from selling the building.
Mayor Erik Thompson said it doesn't make sense to move City Hall away from downtown and next to the school district, which already sees a lot of traffic at peak times.
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The Edgerton Ad Hoc City Hall Committee is considering options to build a new city hall in the parking lot next to the existing city hall at 12 Albion Street.
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The Edgerton Ad Hoc City Hall Committee is considering options to move city hall into a downtown warehouse owned by Tom Dickinson at Main and Fulton streets.
EDGERTON — An Edgerton committee seems to be back where it started after reexamining options to renovate or rebuild City Hall.
Members of the Edgerton Ad Hoc City Hall Committee still seem to favor putting a new building next to the existing City Hall, though they didn't rule out another option Wednesday night.
The committee in August chose the parking lot next to City Hall, 12 Albion St., as the best place for a new facility.
But it decided last month to reexamine its options after some residents complained the committee didn't consider the Veterans Building, which the city already owns, Mayor Erik Thompson said.
The committee decided at the same time to gather cost estimates on all its options to affirm it made the right choice.
"It's making sure we have our bases covered," Thompson said before the meeting.
The committee eliminated three of five options Wednesday. It did not eliminate the option to lease a downtown warehouse owned by Tom Dicksinson at Main and Fulton streets.
The warehouse, built in 1885, could make an interesting but expensive choice, said Jonathan Parker and Steve Holzhauer of Eppstein Uhen Architects.
The building would cost about $1.3 million to renovate and about $41,000 in utilities over the next five years.
By comparison, a new building would cost about $1.2 million to build and $20,000 in utilities over five years, they said.
The architects cautioned the cost estimates aren't exact and should be used as comparisons, not rigid figures.
Committee members said they would be uncomfortable pouring so much money into a building the city doesn't own.
"You're basically refurbishing that guy's building for him," Alderman Casey Burns said.
But they decided not to eliminate the option until the city talks to Dickinson again about terms of a lease.
One advantage the Dickinson building offers is plenty of space for veterans. A new building could cost more if the city decides to add space specifically for veterans.
The city has committed to meeting veterans' needs if it sells the city-owned Veterans Building, Thompson said.
"I don't want to displace these veterans," he said. "They're an important part of this community."
Thompson suggested building a new City Hall in two phases. The city could build office and storage space now and add council chambers when the economy improves. In the meantime, the council could meet at the library, he said.
The architects estimated the first phase of the building would cost about $913,000. The cost of second phase would vary based on when it's built, but it would push the total above the estimated $1.2 million, they said.
The committee plans to choose one option at its meeting Wednesday, March 11. It also will discuss financing options then.
The city tentatively has chosen June for a referendum on a City Hall project.
Feb 23, 2009 at 11:26 a.m.
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As an Edgerton resident, I know this whole thing is an expensive boondoggle. Inexpensive options are available but the City Administrator wants her own Taj Mahal and has been pushing for it ever since she got the job. She doesn't care how much it costs because she doesn't have to pay for it. She takes her big salary and benefits and drives home each night to Madison.
Feb 12, 2009 at 2:41 p.m.
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i hope if they decide to build they will choose a company locally, several local companies with employees that live right in edgerton bid on the library and the contract was given to someone outside of this area. they have a big push to shop locally maybe they need to follow that motto and set an example
Feb 12, 2009 at 12:20 p.m.
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Sorry to re-post, but i wanted to echo Janesvilean's post....
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Growing-up in Janesville, the first thought that comes to mind when someone mentioned Edgerton was those big brick warehouse/tobacco buildings.
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I have no idea if they are currently occupied, or are being torn down, but saving one of those and locating all government operations/functions inside, might not be the cheapest option, but it would further add to the identity/market brand of Edgerton.
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Certain buildings deserve rehab and retrofitting to accommodate modern needs - such as the old Parker Pen building in Janesville -- if just because certain buildings give a community character, and a connection with heritage and tradition.
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That new young mayor would be wise to spend a bit more upfront, to protect and promote Edgerton’s history for another 100 years – or however long those buildings have been standing.
Feb 12, 2009 at noon
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Of course, the city could also consider a land swap so that they acquire the warehouse. I'm not sure if this has been brought up. It would be a great way to preserve and reuse a building of historical importance to the city.
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