Date: Fri 23-Oct-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

space-needs-office-selectmen

Full Text:

Town Office Space Options Reviewed

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Kaestle Boos Architects Wednesday presented the town with 11 different

scenarios for coping with its shortage of municipal space.

According to architect Rusty Malek, all the options can be considered

solutions, with each addressing Newtown's space problem in a different way and

at a different cost.

"They give us a lot of possibilities. There were no surprises," commented

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal. "My initial reaction was that they offer some

possibilities to consider."

The first selectman said he has not ruled out any of the options, although he

is a bit reluctant to consider any option that includes the use of Watertown

Hall or the Gordon Fraser building. Watertown Hall, given to the town by the

state, is reportedly in deplorable condition inside. Gordon Fraser is on the

market for $2 million, is too far from town, and would be taken off the tax

rolls if purchased, town officials say.

Option One

Renovations and additions (6,000 square feet) to Edmond Town Hall. This adds

more space to the offices (first selectman, town clerk, tax assessor, etc)

that currently exist there.

Renovate Town Hall South, allowing for the return of land-use, building,

health, parks & rec, and other offices from Canaan House at Fairfield Hills.

Renovate upstairs for police.

Demolish existing Hook & Ladder Fire Company building.

Build a 35,000-square-foot public safety building at a site in close proximity

to town hall.

Option Two

Renovations and additions (15,000 square feet) to Edmond Town Hall. This adds

even more space, allowing land-use, building, health, P&R to move in.

Town Hall South renovated to be used entirely by the police department.

Hook & Ladder building demolished with the construction of a new

14,000-square-foot structure, possibly at Fairfield Hills.

Option Three

Renovations and addition (12,000 square-feet) to Edmond Town Hall.

Renovations to Town Hall South.

Demolish existing Hook & Ladder building.

Build a 35,000-square-foot public safety facility.

Option 4

Renovations and additions (6,000 square feet) to Edmond Town Hall.

Renovate Town Hall South for police use only.

Build a 12,000-square-foot town hall annex at a site in close proximity to

town hall. The facility would include land-use, building, health, P&R, etc.

Renovate existing Hook & Ladder building.

Option Five

Renovate existing space at Edmond Town Hall for first selectman, finance and

board of managers offices only.

Renovate Town Hall South for land-use and building, but also for town clerk,

tax assessor, probate court, etc.

Demolish the existing Hook & Ladder building.

Build a 35,000-square-foot public safety building at a site close to town

hall.

Option Six

Same scenario as Option Five for Edmond Town and Town Hall South.

Demolish Hook & Ladder building.

Build a new 20,000-square-foot police department.

Build new 14,000-square-foot fire department.

Option Seven

Same scenario as Option Five for Edmond Town hall and Town Hall South.

Renovate the existing Hook & Ladder building.

Build a new 20,000-square-foot police department.

Option Eight

Renovate Edmond Town Hall for first selectman, finance, board of mangers only.

Renovate Town Hall South to be used entirely by police department.

Renovate existing Hook & Ladder building.

Build new 20,000-square-foot town hall annex.

Option Nine

Renovate Edmond Town Hall for first selectman, finance, board of managers

only.

Demolish Town Hall South.

Build new 14,000-square-foot fire department.

Purchase and renovate the Gordon Fraser Building to be used by police,

land-use, building, health, town clerk, tax assessor, etc.

Option Ten

Renovate Edmond Town Hall for Parks & Rec, board of managers, human services

only.

Renovate Town Hall South to be used entirely by police department.

Build new 14,000-square-foot fire department.

Build new 25,000-square-foot town hall building to house first selectman,

finance, town clerk, land-use, building, etc. By adding another 7,000 square

feet, Board of Education could also be moved to this building

Option 11

Renovate Edmond Town Hall for first selectman, finance, board of managers

only.

Renovate Town Hall South to be used entirely by police department.

Demolish Hook & Ladder building.

Renovate Watertown Hall to be used by land-use, building, town clerk, tax

collector, etc.

Cost Estimates Due

Mr Malek told the selectmen and the space needs panel that cost estimates for

each of the options should be available when the full report is released later

this fall.