COLUMBUS – Having passed a referendum last year to keep the former Columbus Town Hall in the hands of taxpayers, residents are still uncertain of the fate of the 210-year-old building.
Columbus Town officials called a public meeting Tuesday to hear options from The Chazen Companies, the engineering firm that was contracted by the town earlier this year to assess damages to the building located along State Route 80.
A report done by Chazen outlines a number of significant damages, including a deteriorating foundation, drainage issues that are damaging the foundation, poor insulating around the windows, deteriorating floor beams, and sagging on the east side wall that compromises the structure’s stability.
The report does not consider mechanical, electrical or plumbing issues.
The report concludes that the building is “in poor condition, and requires significant repairs in order to put the building back into service.” Engineers recommend upgrades to meet egress, fire, ADA and energy code guidelines; therefore, the township ought to consider the cost benefit of making repairs versus new construction.
Since May, The building has gone largely unused due to structural damages that make it unsafe for use, as deemed by building inspectors and engineers. However, adhering to the desires of voters, members of the Columbus Town Board are proceeding with an investigation of alternatives that may allow it to be refurbished.
Town officials discussed their options with The Chazen Companies in front of a small crowd of residents at Tuesday’s meeting.
“There are some inherent challenges with the property,” said Joseph Lanaro, Chazen’s vice president of engineering services. “The foundation and wall are moving incrementally and it’s at a point where we don’t know. It could be good for another season, but it’s at a condition where it’s unpredictable.”
Regardless of the Board’s decisions, Lanaro recommended work be done to support the structure as soon as possible so that further damages or even collapse are avoided.
Ballpark estimates range from $160,000 to $240,000 for repairs, but that figure could increase as much as 33 percent when prevailing wage gets factored in, said Lanaro. Town officials can use the report to get a more detailed estimate of repairs from contractors before moving ahead with a project.
“You really have to weigh the cost benefit of repairs versus building new,” Lanaro told the Board, “but we recommend looking at this with a holistic approach. There might be problems you won’t see until you start work, and you will need to address those problems, and that would add to the expense ... It’s just like working on your house. When you start working on one thing, you could find something else and you have to deal with it.”
Lanaro also estimated the cost of a new building could range from $160-$260 per square foot.
Although the Town Board is committed to doing what’s feasible to save the building – and has even earmarked money for repairs in the preliminary 2016 budget – Board members have expressed concern over balancing residents’ desire to keep the building with the burden it will put on property taxes.
Town residents will have a chance to weigh in during the public comment portion of the regular Columbus Town Board meeting on Dec. 10.
“I think we have gotten a lot of valuable information with the report,” said Columbus Town Supervisor Tom Grace. “We had engineers here because we want to pick their brains a little. There was thought that we might be able to segment the project and do a little now and little later. I think we put to rest that idea,” he added. “I encourage everyone to look at the report, then we will have public comment at the December meeting for anyone who wants to speak.”
The full report from by The Chazen Companies is available on the Columbus town website at www.columbusny.us.