City complex plans proceed

Mar 9, 2010 — The Times

Deborah Laverty

Mar. 7, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- LAKE STATION -- Construction plans for the city's new municipal complex remain on track with ground breaking expected to take place the first week of May, Mayor Keith Soderquist said.

"This has been 30 years in the making," he said.

The City Council recently took another step toward building the complex by giving initial approval to a $2.5 million appropriation. A public hearing on the appropriation will be held at the March 18 council meeting.

The $2.5 million, which is part of the previously approved $11.3 million bond issue, will be earmarked for expenses outside of the building cost, such as land acquisition. Approximately $1.5 million of the $2.5 million also could be allocated for future downtown improvements, including landscaping, curb improvements and lighting.

The total cost to build just the municipal complex is estimated at approximately $8 million, Soderquist said.

The new complex, to be built on land near the new library at Grand Boulevard and Fairview Avenue, will house City Hall, the Police and Fire departments, city courts, utilities and safety services. The only agency that won't relocate is the street department.

A low-interest general obligation bond will fund the complex. The bond won't affect the city's property tax rate because bonds for another project will be retired before the city takes on the new debt, Soderquist said.

Once the new complex is built, Lake Station officials plan to tear down some city buildings off Central Avenue and Ind. 51. That property, which is at the busiest intersection in the city, could be sold to bring in revenue.

"We're on the busiest intersection in the city and not receiving any taxes from the property," Soderquist said.

The building to the southeast of the intersection that houses the mayor's quarters could be retained and leased for office space, he said.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0129-42719100