Norfolk Daily News

Wednesday – February 6, 2008

The process of sifting through the numerous options for new city offices for Norfolk is moving forward.

As directed Monday by the city council, a subcommittee of four councilmen and the mayor — who met Tuesday with city staff members — narrowed the list of choices on the table. They went from 14 possible locations to four.

No votes were taken. By consensus, however, and by talking through advantages and disadvantages of each property, the elected officials pared the list for council consideration to these front-runners, the first three of which are downtown:

The Nebraska Health and Human Services building at Fifth and Braasch Avenue, which could be bought for $1.4 million and has 17,600 square feet.

The Outlot of the Salvation Army at Seventh Street and Norfolk Avenue. Initial discussion included the buildings, too, but neither the Salvation Army nor the bank on site is interested in selling at this point, according to city officials.

The City Council Chambers at Third Street and Madison Avenue. The city owns the land but would have to reimburse the Vehicle Parking District the $365,000 it paid for the parking lot, according to the city. City officials have estimated that demolishing the structure and building new would cost about $3 million for 20,000 square feet of space for city offices.

The Former First Christian Church building on North 13th Street. The city’s option to buy the 19,000-square-foot building for $650,000 expires March 15. The lowest total cost, after remodeling, has been estimated by the city at about $2 million.

Also part of the discussion Tuesday was how much space partnering agencies might need in a shared building. Last week, several other agencies turned in to the mayor requirements of just under 9,000 square feet.

Dennis Smith, public works director, said that figure was a net number. The actual gross figure, including the building envelope, would be double, he said.

Mayor Gordon Adams and City Administrator Mike Nolan each said the city needs between 17,000 and 20,000 square feet for its own operations.

While discussing the four front-runners, the councilmen spent the most time on the apparent advantages of the building now leased by Nebraska Health and Human Services.

Ivan Van Dyke said the building is site-ready for a city office.

Dave Fauss said the building is in the city’s price range and would be “the same as buying the church and fixing it up.’’

Jim Lange said it’s close to the police station, fire station, city permits office, library and post office. There’s also potential for a campus-type setting for other agencies — such as the school district, which has indicated it’s not interested in such a concept now but might be in the future.

Nolan said a former school superintendent once indicated as much as 50,000 square feet might be needed to replace the school’s aging administration office.

“You’re talking about a huge structure. At $150 a square foot, it would be an enormous cost,’’ he said.
Nolan cautioned that the council also will be facing the prospect of taking to the voters in the near future a $15 million to $20 million bond issue for park and recreation improvements.

The mayor said Madison County, which is one of the agencies interested in co-location, has indicated it will go along with whatever the city decides, as has the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District.

About the other front-runners, Nolan said the council chambers land includes the buried former YMCA pool, and there are some environmental concerns.

Fauss said the Salvation Army outlot could potentially be tied into the Health and Human Services building area as well.

And the former church building?
“People still say go for it,’’ Adams said.

*These are the 10 options *that didn’t make the subcommittee’s cut and a summary of the negatives:
City auditorium: Too expensive and old to remodel.

Third Street south of rail crossing: High-priced, should be left for possible private development for the river walk.

Kensington Hotel: Not practical or economical, would displace low-income and disabled residents.

Former Villa Inn: Too costly to demolish, would take away prime real estate for future commercial development.

Former Fullerton Lumber: Costly to demolish, next to railroad tracks, another business nearby is considering its purchase.

Former Rod Kush Furniture: Inadequate parking, building probably would have to be razed.

Stuart Hansen Property northwest of Faith Regional Health Services: Outside city limits, too far out of town.

Alco parking lot: Too much parking space surrendered for construction, area is more suited to retail use.

Former Maple Park trailer court: Land is too expensive, might be better suited for multi-family housing or development of an upscale apartment building.

Land south of Faith Regional Health Services: Could need fill material to build up elevation, space better devoted to retail.