MONROE - Aldermen want to know how much it will cost to fix steps outside City Hall and remove asbestos from the building, separate from a potential future remodeling project.
Council members indicated Tuesday they want to be conservative in any project to repair or remodel City Hall, given other upcoming city projects, such as 8th Street improvements and potential changes in downtown parking. Previously, city administrator Phil Rath shared survey results gathered late last year from City Hall visitors regarding five options for building remodeling which would also address deteriorating stairs outside the structure. Options ranged from adding a canopy over the Recreation Department entrance and a ramp to the front of the building, to adding an enclosed lobby with an elevator and public restrooms. Of the options, visitors favored the option that would create a new lobby with interior stairs and an elevator with enlarged common council chambers.
But alderman Reid Stangel said he was concerned about the small number of people who filled out the surveys speaking for the entire city and said it would be more prudent to fix areas most in need, such as crumbling infrastructure rather than taking on a large expense or attempting a referendum.
While alderwomen Brooke Bauman and Chris Beer said they would like to see more accessible entrances and a clearly-marked reception area, they agreed cost could be an issue. Beer said if the stairs are going to be renovated, she favored a transition to ramps.
"If you're going to be re-doing the front anyway, you might as well take care of the accessibility issues," Beer said.
Bauman said asbestos should be dealt with before it becomes urgent to remove it.
Construction on any of the plans would not begin until 2017. Alderman Louis Armstrong said safety issues such as the concrete on the building's outer steps need to be fixed before next year. He recommended the concrete repair and evaluation of asbestos be dealt with immediately.
Council members agreed and requested Rath put together a cost estimate for the Feb. 2 meeting.
Council members indicated Tuesday they want to be conservative in any project to repair or remodel City Hall, given other upcoming city projects, such as 8th Street improvements and potential changes in downtown parking. Previously, city administrator Phil Rath shared survey results gathered late last year from City Hall visitors regarding five options for building remodeling which would also address deteriorating stairs outside the structure. Options ranged from adding a canopy over the Recreation Department entrance and a ramp to the front of the building, to adding an enclosed lobby with an elevator and public restrooms. Of the options, visitors favored the option that would create a new lobby with interior stairs and an elevator with enlarged common council chambers.
But alderman Reid Stangel said he was concerned about the small number of people who filled out the surveys speaking for the entire city and said it would be more prudent to fix areas most in need, such as crumbling infrastructure rather than taking on a large expense or attempting a referendum.
While alderwomen Brooke Bauman and Chris Beer said they would like to see more accessible entrances and a clearly-marked reception area, they agreed cost could be an issue. Beer said if the stairs are going to be renovated, she favored a transition to ramps.
"If you're going to be re-doing the front anyway, you might as well take care of the accessibility issues," Beer said.
Bauman said asbestos should be dealt with before it becomes urgent to remove it.
Construction on any of the plans would not begin until 2017. Alderman Louis Armstrong said safety issues such as the concrete on the building's outer steps need to be fixed before next year. He recommended the concrete repair and evaluation of asbestos be dealt with immediately.
Council members agreed and requested Rath put together a cost estimate for the Feb. 2 meeting.