LAURINBURG — The Local Government Commission is expected to decide next month whether the city of Laurinburg can construct a new municipal building.

The Laurinburg Exchange is sharing the views of those opposed to the municipal project to provide clarification on why the new building may not be needed:

What do Laurinburg residents think of the proposal?

Residents against the planned new City Hall say there is little support citywide for the project except from members of the Laurinburg City Council.

They say they can point to protests, t-shirts, yard signs as well as the large number of citizens who have gone directly to council to express opposition.

“The people pushing for this building to be built, they don’t have to lay down at night and worry about how they’re going to buy groceries, about how they’re going to pay their light bill, or whether they’re going to be able to feed their children or not,” resident Teresa Barber said.

An online petition against the project — now closed — can be found at https://www.change.org. The petition said: “Laurinburg City Council wants to waste millions of dollars to build an unnecessary building! By doing this we will be greatly affected by it. We will have to pay back the money for this building, not them. This city needs to be fixed not to waste money. Please sign.”

There was a separate printed petition circulated that asked the city to immediately stop spending money on planning the construction of a new City Hall and that the city begin exploring the possibility of a centrally located Laurinburg Recreation/Community Center.

What irks opponents most is that they say city leaders have failed to consider citizen’s thoughts on how taxpayer money should be spent.

“You have heard overwhelmingly that citizens don’t want this,” Mayor Matthew Block told council last month. “Basically you’re giving them the finger.”

Why are people opposed to construction?

There are a myriad of reasons some residents are opposed.

The one heard most often, is expense. Critics believe the project estimated to cost $8.1 million for construction with another 25 percent toward soft costs is not a financial burden the city should undertake or pass on to future generations.

Without that new debt, they argue, the city could lower taxes and bring down utility bills.

The money spent on a proposed new municipal building could be better used to help reduce crime, attract new business and jobs, build a recreation center and improve Laurinburg’s quality of life, they say.

Others argue that the current City Hall or several abandoned buildings in Laurinburg can be renovated at a much lower cost.

Many also ask how the city could have already spent more than $600,000 to get the project off the ground with no real guarantee that it will be approved by the state.

Another complaint is need. Opponents say a new City Hall is unnecessary. They say city officials have exaggerated concerns about space and safety and age.

What will happen to the current municipal facilities?

The Laurinburg Police Department will remain in the city’s municipal building until the construction of the new City Hall is complete. Once construction is finished and city employees and the police department move into their new space, the current municipal building and police department will be demolished and turned into a parking lot.

The adjacent W. Charles Barrett Building, which also housed some of city’s departments, will be torn down to make way for the new facility.

The proposed design for a new building calls for placing the Laurinburg Police Department and a utility customer service area on the ground floor and the city council chambers and all other city departments on the second floor.

What is being done to halt project?

A citizen’s group, calling themselves, Super Majority for Saving the Barrett Building believes the 80-year-old home that has also serves as a church parsonage should be preserved as a historical landmark

The group that has filed a petition for emergency action before the Local Government Commission, a state panel that will decide whether the city can afford to finance a $8.1 million new City Hall.

Laurinburg attorney Mike Schmidt said the group may “seek monetary damages, compensatory and special if allowed, against the city.”

He added that the group may also seek compensation directly from each council member who voted “to bring about violations of law.” In undertaking the project, he said council may be in violation of the General Statues that deals with finances and budgeting by municipalities.

How can residents help the Save the Barrett Building effort?

Organizers say that Schmidt has been providing free legal help to save the Barrett building and they have begun a GoFundMe fundraiser to help defray some of the expense.

So far the effort has raised $380 of its goal of $3,000. People can make contributions by visiting www.gofundme.com/supportsupermajoritylawyer.

How can residents let state officials know how they view the proposed project?

Those for or against the construction of the new building can contact the LGC at 919-814-4300.

File photo Opponents of a proposed new $8.1 million City Hall say there is nothing wrong with the current municipal building on Church Street that cannot be fixed with a few minor repairs and a lot less money.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_cityhhh-2.jpgFile photo Opponents of a proposed new $8.1 million City Hall say there is nothing wrong with the current municipal building on Church Street that cannot be fixed with a few minor repairs and a lot less money.

File photo This is one of numerous signs around Laurinburg opposed to City Council’s decision to move forward in pursuit of financing the construction of a new municipal building.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_AAMahal-2.jpgFile photo This is one of numerous signs around Laurinburg opposed to City Council’s decision to move forward in pursuit of financing the construction of a new municipal building.

Scott Witten

[email protected]

Reach Scott Witten at 910-506-3023