The advertisement was ready to go, but the Oxford Village Council was not.
Last week, council voted 5-0 to set aside for further discussion the idea of putting 18 W. Burdick St., the former township hall, on the sale block.
The village is considering selling just the 2,000-square-foot office space in ‘as is? condition. No parking spaces would be sold with it, however, officials previously indicated they’re willing to consider granting access to the municipal complex’s public parking to whoever purchases the hall.
Strong opposition to selling the old township hall was voiced by Councilman Bryan Cloutier.
‘If I recall, not too long ago, there was dialogue about selling the entire (municipal complex) and having it developed into something else, whether it be residential or mixed use or whatever,? he said. ‘I really feel that if you sell just that component of it, you’re really kind of locking yourself in, in many ways, as to what you can do with the rest of this property that’s attached to, physically, (the former township hall).?
The old township hall is part of the 13,264-square-foot municipal building that houses the village offices, village police department, township parks and recreation department, Downtown Development Authority office and chamber of commerce office.
The township hasn’t occupied the space since 2006 when it moved to its current office facility at 300 Dunlap Rd.
In January 2011, the village took ownership of the vacant government space, plus the 30 parking spaces that went with it, as part of a legal settlement with the township.
Village voters gave permission to sell the entire municipal complex, which also includes the 6,080-square-foot former fire hall, and the approximately 2 acres of land it occupies, in the November 2012 general election.
‘I really disagree with selling just that part of the building that could be part of a future development,? Cloutier said. ‘And I don’t know if some of you really took that into consideration or really realized that. Perhaps you did, but I’m not sure, so that’s why I wanted to bring it to light.?
‘I think piecemealing (things) really limits us (as) to any future development of this property, should you decide to go in that direction. You may not,? he added. ‘Personally, I don’t believe we’re headed the right way by, again, piecemealing things. I just don’t think that’s the right way to do it.?
Cloutier noted he feels like council is ‘entertaining that option simply because? the village has ‘financial limitations? as to what it can do to rehabilitate the old township hall.
‘But I don’t think that’s the right reason to do this,? he said.
At the November meeting, village Manager Joe Young provided council with an ‘estimated cost to bring (the) building up to code and occupy.?
Young’s figures showed the old township hall was in need of an estimated $90,000 worth of repairs and improvements. His calculations included $30,000 for handicapped-accessible doors and restrooms, along with exit and security lights; $10,000 for ‘possible mold clean-up,? painting and carpeting; $25,000 for roof replacement; and $25,000 to replace/relocate the HVAC system.
Instead of selling 18 W. Burdick St., Councilwoman Maureen Helmuth suggested another option.
‘I think we bring it up to code and rent it to anybody we can without giving up the parking. They might use it. We can include that in the rent,? she said. ‘Otherwise, let’s tear it down and make it parking.?
Helmuth expressed her opposition to the village ever selling any of the 77 parking spaces currently contained on the municipal site.
‘I just think we have such a shortage of parking in the downtown that we should not sell any of the parking lot,? she said. ‘Just after Friday night, you know how much parking we don’t have. I think to get rid of any parking spaces would just be a disservice.?
Helmuth was referring to the Friday, Dec. 4 Soup & Sweet Stroll event held downtown.
Township Supervisor Bill Dunn, who attended the meeting as a village resident, agreed with the sentiments expressed by Cloutier.
‘If you sell it off and it’s an island by itself, you’re pretty much limiting what you can do (with) it later,? he said. ‘I think you’re giving away all your options if you sell it. If you’re going to sell it, sell the whole damn thing. Don’t put yourself in a box.?