When the Emporia Arts Council moves out of its building at 618 Mechanic St. in January, what should the space be used for?
There’s a variety of intriguing possibilities, but not a clear-cut favorite. The city of Emporia owns the building so it will be up the Emporia City Commission to decide in the next few months whether to keep the building for city use, sell it or let another group use it, such as the library. The building is large enough that more than one use is possible.
The arts council will move into its new building at 815 Commercial St. early next year. The Mechanic Street space should be cleared out by February. The back of the building is currently occupied with city equipment, such as snow plows.
“This is a rare opportunity where we start with a blank slate,” said City Manager Matt Zimmerman. “The only caveat is that one-third of that building is used for extra storage and workspace. If we end up giving it away or selling it, we have to find storage and workspace. We don’t have an extra 7,500 square feet in this building (civic auditorium) for this equipment.”
If the city keeps it, they could move a number of different offices across Sixth Avenue from the Civic Auditorium.
The city clerk’s office and water department are one possibility. Doing so may allow for a drive-through window so residents can pay bills without having to park.
Commissioner Julia Johnson wonders whether a drive-through window is necessary because people are using online banking more. Zimmerman said a number of people still stop by to pay bills and ask questions. There would be a fair amount of drive-through business, he said.
Another idea is to put municipal court in the arts council space because that department is cramped, Zimmerman said. Or perhaps the city administration offices could be on the move. Another idea is a new city commission chamber with better technological capabilities.
Any move out of the civic auditorium would free up space for other city departments to spread out. Several are out of room.
Ed Rathke, city facilities manager, said his choice would be using the arts council building for city offices. The human resources office currently is in the concourse of the auditorium.
“It’s terrible when we have activities in the building,” Rathke said. “The police are sitting on top of themselves downstairs. They are out of room. The IT is out of room downstairs. We are just so cramped around here.”
Rathke said the north and south walls of the arts council building are in fine shape. The plumbing and electrical, however, would have to be replaced, he said. That would be expensive, which is problematic for a city that does not have extra money to spend on renovations, said Mayor Jim Kessler.
“I would have a hard time supporting moving a bunch of things around to get better commission chambers,” he said. “It either needs to be put on the market or kept for storage.”
Commissioner Jeff Longbine said a large unnamed local employer a few months ago inquired of him about the building to use as a corporate training center. That could bring 1,000 people a year to Emporia, he said. Zimmerman said he will contact the company to see whether they still are interested.
The library, which is next door to the south, also is interested in at least a portion of the building. Sue Blechl, director of the Emporia Public Library, said the library has some space needs.
“Our children’s room is totally inadequate size-wise for the usage of it,” Blechi said. “Staff work rooms and computer areas are crowded.”
The library isn’t necessarily wanting to open the arts council space up to the public. The library board has discussed putting the Friends of the Library books sale materials in the arts council space, if it’s available.
The biggest priority, Blechl said, is to not be landlocked in case the library wants to build an addition later on.
“The northern edge of the library is the best way if we wanted to expand at some time,” Blechl said.
Kent Heermann, president of the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas, said the organization has looked at existing buildings to set up a bioscience type incubator. But at this point the idea is conceptual and would only need a portion of the arts council building for it.
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
This IS A NO BRAINER!
Sell it and get it on the TAX ROLLS !
Sorry to disagree with ole Ed, but if the city population is getting smaller and technology is getting better, less space should be needed by the city and or library.
As far as the asinine idea of a drive through window for water payments , there is already a drive up payment box in the parking lot just south of the auditorium that works just fine for me.
August 19, 2010 at 3:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hickory (anonymous) says...
And then should they build a new building to store their lawn mowers, weed eaters and other equipment in Steve? Or should they just park them outside and put tarps over them? Wake up, and check out the all the facts before you speak.
August 19, 2010 at 5:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
Seeing how the City Manager hasnt really done anything for the city except cost us money Fire him and use his office for space. The City Commish. can take turns doing his job and give them and extra $1 a month and look at the money we have saved. As Steve said put the building back on the tax rolls
August 19, 2010 at 6:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Calm down hickory!
You are right, let's get the "FACTS"
Let's have a study.
Let's let some bids.
What exactly is being stored in the back of that building now?
Would the city save money by getting rid of the equipment (and the place to store it) and contracting the job to a private company?
How many employees could be "eliminated" and the cost of their wages along with insurance and benefits
The cost of maintaining the equipment and replacing it?
Based on the value of the building and land if it was privately owned it would bring in at least 2500.00 a year in property taxes for the city county and school board.
If you would furnish me with a hover-round or a rascal and give me a guided tour of the civic building, i would bet you I could find some space. Give me a shout, I'm here to help>
August 19, 2010 at 8:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
I mean , come on. JUST HOW MANY SQUARE BLOCKS OF DOWNTOWN EMPORIA DOES THE CITY AND COUNTY HAVE TO OWN?
August 19, 2010 at 8:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rabblerouser (anonymous) says...
It's not just downtown, Steve. How many municipalities own a former Mobile Home Manufacuring Facility for their use. That place is HUGE!
August 19, 2010 at 9:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tell (anonymous) says...
Kent Heerman and bioscience thats starting to be funny.
August 19, 2010 at 9:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
Steve and rabblerouser,
Are you guys saying that our taxes are so high and our budget is short because of all the property that the taxing entities own and tax us to operate while not having enough taxed property to offset? Hmmm.
August 19, 2010 at 9:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )