LAURINBURG — The Local Government Commission is expected to decide next month whether Laurinburg can construct a new municipal building.
The Laurinburg Exchange has contacted city officials and staff to provide clarification on why the new building is needed and how it might be paid for.
Why a new City Hall?
Talk about a new City Hall has been going on for a least two decades, according to city officials, who cited outdated buildings, safety concerns, and ADA compliance as root causes for the necessity for a new building.
There are problems with load-bearing walls in the municipal building, the police department and the adjacent Barrett Building as well limited access for modern technology and poor security for law enforcement.
Officials argue that the police department cannot be kept completely secure as the open door that connects it with the city tax and finance departments cannot be locked in accordance with fire code. Restroom facilities in the police department are available to other city employees as well as the public, also pose a security risk, according to officials.
In addition, the municipal building dedicated in 1958 and the Barrett Building some 30 years old, also have asbestos issues.
“I would encourage anybody to take a walk through the current buildings. The municipal building is not ADA compliant. Its just outdated. You have wires all around in the police station. The Barrett building has mold and is not set up for modern technology,” said council member J.D. Willis. “It’s just a mess.”
According to officials, if someone was to complain about the current buildings not being ADA compliant, the city could be held accountable.
City officials also anticipate growth in the city, which will result in additions police officers and employees. There is a total of about 15,000 square feet between the two facilities.
How much will a new facility cost?
Currently, the building is budgeted at $7.9 million and that number may go up or down after bids are in hand and brought to the North Carolina Local Government Commission for consideration in September.
The LGC will be voting to either approve or deny a loan not to exceed $10 million.That does not mean the city will be getting $10 million. Approval is only for the exact cost of the project, according to City Manager Charles Nichols.
The initial cost estimates for upgrading the city’s administrative offices date from a 2013 study by Oakley Collier Architects. That firm proposed $1 million to renovate the current police station for municipal use exclusively and $4.7 million to construct a 10,000-square-foot police station separately.
The proposed facility’s price tag for new construction would include the $91,000 estimated cost of demolition. It does not include the cost of any new furniture or technology.
The city has already spent $640,000 on architectural plans, construction documents, land studies, and the renovations to the Sanford Building. That expenditure has been factored into the cost of the project. But the city could lose that money if the state does not approve it financing plan for the new municipal building.
How big will the building be and what will be inside?
The City Hall/Police Department, if built, will be more than 21,000 square feet and house all city staff, police officers, council chambers, and city departments.
According to the city, the police department section of the building accounts for well over half the total cost, because specials walls and specs are needed for security measures.
The city plans to demolish the current municipal building and the Barrett administration building to make way for the new structure.
Why can’t the city renovate the current facilities and save money?
An option for renovating the current building was also presented to council at a total cost of $9.2 million. That figure includes $2.1 million to renovate the existing municipal building, $2.1 million for a new addition to fulfill the need for more space, and $3.6 million for a new police station.
The renovation are so costly because they would mean bringing the current City Hall into compliance with International Building Code and North Carolina Energy Code as well as refitting stairs, ramps, and restrooms in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
City officials said the building would also need a total exterior renovation and upgrades to its technological and electrical infrastructure.
How will the city pay for the project?
According to city officials, Laurinburg will either opt for a 15 or 20-year finance plan. Depending on the plan chosen and final cost after construction bids are in place, the city will be paying between $800,000 and $900,000 annually.
The money to payback the buildings will be pulled from three city funds — with 67 percent coming from the General Fund and 33 percent being split evenly between the Electric and Sewer Funds.
Will taxes go up as a result?
While city officials said they could not guarantee that taxes would never increase , they do not anticipate taxes, utility bills and fees for city services will go up because of the project.
The city’s debt capacity is $10 million, according to Davenport and Company, the municipality’s financial advisor that conducted a study to determine how much debt can be acquired without any tax increase.
Could Laurinburg make better use of the $10 million?
City officials say there are other “avenues” to handle infrastructure needs and downtown revitalization needs.
“The city does not have a pot of $10 million sitting around that we can do whatever we want with,” council member Mary Jo Adams said.
Laurinburg has budgeted $200,000 for paving, $10,000 for road stripping (lane painting), and $37,000 for paving on city properties. The funds for those kind of infrastructure needs are coming from Powell Bill funds and General Funds, Nichols said.
The city has also received $240,000 worth of grants for a Waste Water Asset Inventory Assessment, which will assess the city’s entire water and sewer infrastructure. This includes lines, wells, service stations, and plants.
Downtown revitalization efforts are partly funded with the city’s Central Business District Tax, which has business owners paying an additional tax that the city then matches to go towards the upkeep and renovations to downtown, city officials said.
Does having a new City Hall benefit residents?
Nichols explains having all city staff under one roof will make business more convenient for residents and electric customers.
“In our current facility, someone could walk in with a machine gun and shoot up everybody. They need to have some safety precautions in place to protect the employees,” one city official said. “By building a new modern facility, we are putting safety measures in place to help them.”
How can residents let state officials know how they view the proposed project?
According to city officials, those for or against the construction of the new building should contact the LGC at 919-814-8300.
