Star Tribune Thu, 24 Jan 2008 05:11:15 GMT
Oak Park Heights weighs options for city hall's fate
The $7.5 million estimated cost for a new building alarms some residents, and a citizens advisory panel is being formed. ... Built in the late 1960s, the current building is the main hub for government and community activities serving the city's 4,500 residents. It also houses public works equipment and supplies. Over the past year, the City Council has been discussing the building's deteriorating condition. Last spring, the council received a report from an architectural firm outlining the building's deficiencies, including code violations, Johnson said. The report also detailed cost estimates for recommended improvements. The list included replacing the roof, the heating, cooling and ventilation systems, sprinkler systems, and upgrades to meet requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In reviewing the renovation costs, Oak Park Heights leaders began to explore building a new city hall. ... And Oak Park Heights city leaders are forming a citizens' advisory committee to help review data on renovation vs. new construction and offer a recommendation to the council. The seven-member citizens' advisory committee will include city officials and citizens. Ann Simpson is among the handful of people who applied for one of the three citizen seats. Kevin Simpson said he hopes the petition and the committee will give citizens more of a voice in the council's decision. "I expect them to listen to us and strongly consider our point of view," he said.
[[keywords: Officials;Metro;]]
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