Windsor council chooses Option C
Published 10:55 am Saturday, December 3, 2016
- Moseley Architects’ Tony Bell, standing at left, and Adam Bricker, seated talked with the Windsor Town Council on Monday during a work session on choosing whether a future town hall should be one story or two; the decision was for one. -- Stephen H. Cowles | Tidewater News
WINDSOR
A one-story option for a future town hall was chosen by Windsor Town Council during its work session on Monday. The question of a single-floor versus two floors was before the members then, and to help them make the decision were Tony Bell and Adam Bricker of Moseley Architects, as well as consultant Brian Camden of Alpha Construction.
The town leaders have been discussing the idea of a new building for some time, and secured land for it just a few years ago.
This is a proposal for a one-story town hall, which was presented this past week. The estimated cost is $3.6 million for this plan. — Courtesy | Moseley Architects
The chosen plan — Option C — has a measurement of 7,875 square feet at $225 per; the construction cost is estimated at $1.77 million, with an additional million for site work. Other costs would include future/equipment ($200,000); architectural/engineering services ($263,000) and testing and inspections ($35,438). All in all, the projected cost to date is $3.65M as designed.
At one point, Mayor Carita Richardson asked if 1 and ½ stories would make the building any less expensive, but Michael Stallings, town manager questioned if that would be any more efficient.
Councilman Durwood Scott asked if appearance and cost were driving the two-story option.
“I’m open to 1, 1.5 or 2,” said Richardson, who acknowledged feeling rushed. “But I do want a very attractive building. I need something that would be blend of Farmers Bank and Colonial Farm Credit [buildings]
Farmers Bank will have its say-so because of its involvement in the land/loan package.
“I’m all for one story,” said fellow councilman Tony Ambrose, making his choice known early: Greg Willis and Scott soon echoed that idea.
“We’ll do it [the designs] until you’re happy,” said the architects, who later added that the building would be designed to “carry you through 2050.”
Option D, two stories, would total $3.36M (construction costs) and $4.43M total. Option E: $2.85M (construction costs); and $3.75M total.
Stallings said on Friday that the council is looking at a “three-year window, but maybe less” to get the new town hall built. “I wouldn’t be surprised if construction started after design.”
There’s probably one-third of the money on hand for the option, said Stallings, who added that financing would be figured out after everything is finalized on plans and costs.
He assured that there will be other work sessions and hearings for public input.
