MONROE - The city of Monroe is buying the former Green County EMS building for $175,000, although what it will do with the space is still under consideration.
The common council approved the purchase Tuesday.
City Administrator Phil Rath said the garage space located adjacent to the Monroe Police Department in the 1800 block of 12th Street would be immediately used by police for vehicles usually relegated to year-round outdoor parking. However, the rest of the two-story building could be used in a number of ways.
"Long term, we don't have any specific plans for it," Rath said. "There's no limit to what we could with that."
The building was constructed in 1980 and is roughly 6,000 square feet, according to EMS Chief Dan Nufer. It was built on city-owned land and leased by Green County EMS for $1 per year for up to 100 years. A second story with more space for classrooms was added in 2001.
EMS recently completed its new facility across the street.
"I'm not sure what we would have done with the building if the city hadn't been interested in it," Nufer said. "We are happy the city bought it."
Inside the building there is a kitchen, classroom spaces, a sleeping area and restrooms. The space could be used for extra meetings. Rath noted police officers could use more room on an daily basis. Or, city staff could spread out for certain meetings. A training space is also possible. Bedding could even be used as a place for people to stay in the instance of inclement weather, or the entire building could be designated an emergency operations center, Rath said.
"It was an opportunity that became apparent and we wanted to make sure that we took advantage of it," Rath said.
If the city had not offered to buy the building, Nufer said, the EMS department would have had to spend more time searching for potential buyers.
A 1999 ambulance was included in the sale. Its current mileage at 100,000, the vehicle will be used by city workers as transportation with tools to complete small projects.
Green County EMS is a private, non-profit, volunteer service organization; it does not receive tax funding.
The common council approved the purchase Tuesday.
City Administrator Phil Rath said the garage space located adjacent to the Monroe Police Department in the 1800 block of 12th Street would be immediately used by police for vehicles usually relegated to year-round outdoor parking. However, the rest of the two-story building could be used in a number of ways.
"Long term, we don't have any specific plans for it," Rath said. "There's no limit to what we could with that."
The building was constructed in 1980 and is roughly 6,000 square feet, according to EMS Chief Dan Nufer. It was built on city-owned land and leased by Green County EMS for $1 per year for up to 100 years. A second story with more space for classrooms was added in 2001.
EMS recently completed its new facility across the street.
"I'm not sure what we would have done with the building if the city hadn't been interested in it," Nufer said. "We are happy the city bought it."
Inside the building there is a kitchen, classroom spaces, a sleeping area and restrooms. The space could be used for extra meetings. Rath noted police officers could use more room on an daily basis. Or, city staff could spread out for certain meetings. A training space is also possible. Bedding could even be used as a place for people to stay in the instance of inclement weather, or the entire building could be designated an emergency operations center, Rath said.
"It was an opportunity that became apparent and we wanted to make sure that we took advantage of it," Rath said.
If the city had not offered to buy the building, Nufer said, the EMS department would have had to spend more time searching for potential buyers.
A 1999 ambulance was included in the sale. Its current mileage at 100,000, the vehicle will be used by city workers as transportation with tools to complete small projects.
Green County EMS is a private, non-profit, volunteer service organization; it does not receive tax funding.