Norfolk Daily News

Wednesday – February 6, 2008

Your View

About the City Offices
NORFOLK — Kudos to Lowell Beckenhauer for his recent timely and informative article concerning finding a new site for the city offices and the contemplation of some to utilize the First Christian Church on North Highway 81 rather than build a new structure.

Unquestionably, Mr. Beckenhauer would qualify as an extremely reliable authority on this subject given the long history of the family in the construction business.

I was astounded that so many areas of concern are involved with an attempt to renovate a building of this type. I’m sure the real problem would be that the construction people could not be certain what all would be involved to make the building serve the intended purpose. It could be very expensive, time consuming — perhaps as expensive as building a new structure.

By the time they tear into it and start the process, it’s too late to back out and they are stuck with the job — the end result, to quote Mr. Beckenhauer, “that it would still look like a church”!

Everyone is concerned with saving taxpayer dollars — that’s a given. But I think in special situations such as this, the renovation might not be the wisest or cheapest way to deal with this problem.

This building will not be built for a short period but for the ages. As an example, the present building that houses the city auditorium is almost 75 years old and still in use.

Starting from scratch, they could plan innovative things in the structure that probably couldn’t be done in a renovation process.

The city offices should include other offices such as the chamber of commerce, visitors bureau, economic development, etc., and should be located as an integral part of the city. Note the location of the city library, post office, senior citizens center, arts center, school, museum — all grouped closely in the same area.

A possible site could be on North First Street where the abandoned trailer court was located. I have a question about that eyesore.

Why are the remains of some of the trailers still there? How tacky! Certainly doesn’t do anything for “our town.” This could work out into quite a desirable location inasmuch as it would be along the river front, if the proposed river walk plan should ever be realized. There would be plenty of room to build and even leave space to add on, should that be feasible in the future. Also there would be ample parking room. Certainly it would beat giving directions each day (for the next 75 years) to locate the city offices (way out in left field) going north on Highway 81 in what was a former church. This is a bad idea!

Norfolk residents and area people, let us hear from you. Time is of the essence. Seize the moment.

Let’s have a dialogue.
MILLY KRUSE