City releases cost comparison for possible city hall move
NORWICH – The City of Norwich released a detailed cost comparison report Thursday to determine whether to move City Hall to the third floor of the firehouse or keep it in the renovated train depot next to the railroad tracks.
City Finance Director William Roberts gave the report to members of the Public Works/Public Safety Committee.
According to the information listed, the city would save money in both total construction costs and annual operating costs if they were to move city offices to the third floor of the firehouse. According to the document, more than $115,000 worth of work will need to be completed at the firehouse regardless of whether or not offices are moved to the location. The exterior walls were never completed on the third floor, and the city has said electrical and lighting work will need to be done.
If the offices were moved to the firehouse, an additional $154,000 worth of work would need to be completed in order to construct an office environment.
If city hall were to remain in its current location, city officials have said many repairs and renovations will be necessary, including replacing the roof, updating the heating system and making the building more energy efficient. The cost for those repairs is estimated at $244,400, bringing the total construction cost for staying at the current location to $360,172 compared to a total of $269,772 if the offices were to be moved to the firehouse.
In addition, the city claims additional costs could be saved on operating and maintenance if the offices were moved. The differentials estimate annual utility costs for both buildings would total nearly $56,000. In comparison, they estimate the annual utility costs at the firehouse with combined offices would total just over $49,000. Maintenance and insurance costs could also decrease.
The total cost comparisons for the combined construction, operating and maintenance costs showed a savings of approximately $100,000 for moving offices to the firehouse, with a total of $352,906, as opposed to $455,935 for repairing the depot.
Lastly, Roberts explained that City Assessor Steve Harris had assessed the depot at approximately $250,000, and at that tax value, the city could see annual taxes of approximately $4,228. The city has said on multiple occasions that the depot is in need of repairs – including a new roof at an estimated cost of $150,000 – but Roberts explained that “we would expect that a prospective buyer would take the roof condition into account, plus whatever costs they might need to convert to their planned use.”
While the committee saw the value of the potential savings, some felt the concerns of the public still needed to be addressed. At public meetings held to discuss the possible move, some individuals commented that the move would make City Hall inaccessible to the elderly and the handicapped. First Ward Alderman Robert Carey suggested looking into the possibility of converting space on the first floor of the firehouse, while Third Ward Alderman John Deierlein asked about grant opportunities for the depot building. Mayor Joseph Maiurano pointed out that a decision on the matter needs to be made soon since repairs to both buildings are becoming critical.
The committee moved to refer the cost comparison to the Finance/Personnel Committee for discussion at their next meeting at 6 p.m. May 6.
City Finance Director William Roberts gave the report to members of the Public Works/Public Safety Committee.
According to the information listed, the city would save money in both total construction costs and annual operating costs if they were to move city offices to the third floor of the firehouse. According to the document, more than $115,000 worth of work will need to be completed at the firehouse regardless of whether or not offices are moved to the location. The exterior walls were never completed on the third floor, and the city has said electrical and lighting work will need to be done.
If the offices were moved to the firehouse, an additional $154,000 worth of work would need to be completed in order to construct an office environment.
If city hall were to remain in its current location, city officials have said many repairs and renovations will be necessary, including replacing the roof, updating the heating system and making the building more energy efficient. The cost for those repairs is estimated at $244,400, bringing the total construction cost for staying at the current location to $360,172 compared to a total of $269,772 if the offices were to be moved to the firehouse.
In addition, the city claims additional costs could be saved on operating and maintenance if the offices were moved. The differentials estimate annual utility costs for both buildings would total nearly $56,000. In comparison, they estimate the annual utility costs at the firehouse with combined offices would total just over $49,000. Maintenance and insurance costs could also decrease.
The total cost comparisons for the combined construction, operating and maintenance costs showed a savings of approximately $100,000 for moving offices to the firehouse, with a total of $352,906, as opposed to $455,935 for repairing the depot.
Lastly, Roberts explained that City Assessor Steve Harris had assessed the depot at approximately $250,000, and at that tax value, the city could see annual taxes of approximately $4,228. The city has said on multiple occasions that the depot is in need of repairs – including a new roof at an estimated cost of $150,000 – but Roberts explained that “we would expect that a prospective buyer would take the roof condition into account, plus whatever costs they might need to convert to their planned use.”
While the committee saw the value of the potential savings, some felt the concerns of the public still needed to be addressed. At public meetings held to discuss the possible move, some individuals commented that the move would make City Hall inaccessible to the elderly and the handicapped. First Ward Alderman Robert Carey suggested looking into the possibility of converting space on the first floor of the firehouse, while Third Ward Alderman John Deierlein asked about grant opportunities for the depot building. Mayor Joseph Maiurano pointed out that a decision on the matter needs to be made soon since repairs to both buildings are becoming critical.
The committee moved to refer the cost comparison to the Finance/Personnel Committee for discussion at their next meeting at 6 p.m. May 6.
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