CALEB WARNOCK - Daily Herald | Posted: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 11:00 pm
Cedar Hills will borrow up to $1.5 million to construct a public works building.
Council members voted unanimously in a recent meeting to authorize the city to issue the bond, which will be repaid by property taxes.
Cedar Hills Mayor Mike McGee said Tuesday that he didn't think the city would use the entire $1.5 million for the building.
He didn't know how much the bond will raise property taxes because he's not sure how much the bond will be.
The building will allow the city "to accomplish basic services such as road, water, sewer and storm drainage maintenance and repair, park maintenance and snow removal, etc., in a more timely and cost effective manner," according to the city's Web site.
At a public hearing before the vote, several residents voiced concerns about the building, saying it may be too cheap and could bring down their property values.
The city has proposed to build the facility on Canyon Road near City Hall.
"The exterior metal siding does not fit in with the current neighborhood and in my opinion it would look great with stucco," said resident Jim Perry. "Brick would probably be even better, though probably a little more expensive. Whatever is done, I do hope it fits in with the existing neighborhood because my house is just below it, and the site is also visible from the golf course."
Architectural designer Tony Baros, who is working on a design proposal for the city, said he felt residents have a "misconception" about the materials the city will use to construct the building.
The office portion of the building will be part brick facade with stucco above, he said.
"For the sake of the city, the garage portion was done as a metal building," he said. "It is cost effective."
As designed, building materials will cost the city about $830,000, plus another $40,000 for landscaping, he said, noting "these numbers are very rough and this has not gone out to bid. We've tried to balance economy and design."
Councilman Jim Perry said materials and landscaping could be debated for hours -- and the city is not prepared to move the building to another, less visible location.
"In my mind this is the best location," he said, noting the city had studied and rejected a half dozen other sites. "I'm convinced it is the least of the evils. Nobody wants a public works building anywhere, but you've got to have it somewhere."
The city is working to ensure the building fits in with the city's image, said City Manager Konrad Hildebrandt.
"Since day one we said we want this to be the nicest public works building with the nicest landscaping that we can, and they have worked hard to make it a really nice project for us."
The city is asking residents to view and comment on the proposed building design at City Hall, 3925 W. Cedar Hills Drive, through March 21. City Council members could vote on a final design as soon as their March 22 meeting.
This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D1.