MONROE - There will be four separate walkthroughs of Monroe City Hall throughout the first half of November in order to gain feedback from residents about how to best deal with structural issues and plans to renovate.
The sessions will be held on various days to accommodate different schedules. Meeting dates are Tuesday, Nov. 10 and Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 6 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. and Monday, Nov. 16 at noon. All presentations will take place at city hall.
City Administrator Phil Rath hopes to see people participate in the open house-type sessions. The citizens who attend will hear a report of problems the building has, what possible action can be taken to make improvements and then will be asked what plans they feel are best to utilize as they proceed.
"There's a variety," Rath said. "Each option identifies a different set of choices. One takes care of all of the issues, but of course it's also the most expensive option."
The five options for improvement range from construction of stairs and the addition of canopies to the addition of a brand new lobby complete with an elevator and public restrooms.
Estimated costs vary. To replace existing infrastructure the estimate stretches to $97,000 at the highest.
From there, each option - depending upon how much work is done - raises in expense. Option 1, which would reconstruct the exterior stairs and put new ramps in place with the addition of a canopy over the Recreation Department entrance, is estimated from $391,000 to $532,000. Option 4, a plan that would feature the reconstruction of a new lobby with interior stairs, an elevator and public restrooms, could run as high as $2.23 million. Three plans with varied projects included fall between the two in expense.
Earlier this year, the city completed a planning study which outlined problems with the building's everyday functions. Ease of access, security, HVAC and the awkward placement of council chambers are main priorities for change on the 50-year-old building.
A single-story building with a basement, city hall is physically attached to both the city police and fire departments. Despite its age, city hall was deemed structurally sound and in good shape.
However, there are problems which the city hopes to address. In the front, there are five separate entrances. This leads to confusion for visitors and takes time away from various office workers who have to lead people in the right direction. Adding to the problem, there are fewer than adequate signs of proper size to guide visitors along once they find their way into the building.
One of the front doors leads directly into council chambers, creating the potential for disruption during meetings and presentations. The layout of chambers itself also produces a less than optimal blueprint. It lacks the space to provide seating and proper visuals. On the north side of the building is one of the other four doors, which leads to the Recreation Department and is the only handicap accessible entrance into city hall on that side of the building.
Ducts and ventilation in the building range in age. Some are still in place from when the building was constructed, while others are just a few years old. Because of this, the system is disjointed, and repairs are needed to help fix the problem of uncontrollable office temperatures.
Rath said the problems are going to be presented and a public consensus has to
be considered. Without residents' support, he said there will be no success with any project.
"It's the public's building," Rath said. "Ideally, people will either agree with the need for all issues to be fixed, or we'll be able to identify a common concern."
From there, the Monroe Common Council and city officials will consider feedback in their decisions regarding a future project.
The sessions will be held on various days to accommodate different schedules. Meeting dates are Tuesday, Nov. 10 and Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 6 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. and Monday, Nov. 16 at noon. All presentations will take place at city hall.
City Administrator Phil Rath hopes to see people participate in the open house-type sessions. The citizens who attend will hear a report of problems the building has, what possible action can be taken to make improvements and then will be asked what plans they feel are best to utilize as they proceed.
"There's a variety," Rath said. "Each option identifies a different set of choices. One takes care of all of the issues, but of course it's also the most expensive option."
The five options for improvement range from construction of stairs and the addition of canopies to the addition of a brand new lobby complete with an elevator and public restrooms.
Estimated costs vary. To replace existing infrastructure the estimate stretches to $97,000 at the highest.
From there, each option - depending upon how much work is done - raises in expense. Option 1, which would reconstruct the exterior stairs and put new ramps in place with the addition of a canopy over the Recreation Department entrance, is estimated from $391,000 to $532,000. Option 4, a plan that would feature the reconstruction of a new lobby with interior stairs, an elevator and public restrooms, could run as high as $2.23 million. Three plans with varied projects included fall between the two in expense.
Earlier this year, the city completed a planning study which outlined problems with the building's everyday functions. Ease of access, security, HVAC and the awkward placement of council chambers are main priorities for change on the 50-year-old building.
A single-story building with a basement, city hall is physically attached to both the city police and fire departments. Despite its age, city hall was deemed structurally sound and in good shape.
However, there are problems which the city hopes to address. In the front, there are five separate entrances. This leads to confusion for visitors and takes time away from various office workers who have to lead people in the right direction. Adding to the problem, there are fewer than adequate signs of proper size to guide visitors along once they find their way into the building.
One of the front doors leads directly into council chambers, creating the potential for disruption during meetings and presentations. The layout of chambers itself also produces a less than optimal blueprint. It lacks the space to provide seating and proper visuals. On the north side of the building is one of the other four doors, which leads to the Recreation Department and is the only handicap accessible entrance into city hall on that side of the building.
Ducts and ventilation in the building range in age. Some are still in place from when the building was constructed, while others are just a few years old. Because of this, the system is disjointed, and repairs are needed to help fix the problem of uncontrollable office temperatures.
Rath said the problems are going to be presented and a public consensus has to
be considered. Without residents' support, he said there will be no success with any project.
"It's the public's building," Rath said. "Ideally, people will either agree with the need for all issues to be fixed, or we'll be able to identify a common concern."
From there, the Monroe Common Council and city officials will consider feedback in their decisions regarding a future project.