LIME CITY — Plans for a new or renovated Perrysburg Township administration building have been solidifying, with the choice of a new architect on the horizon.
Selecting an architect is the next step, and it was almost made at the Nov. 2 Perrysburg Township Trustees meeting.
Three companies are being considered: Proudfoot and Associates, the Collaborative and Duket Architects Planners.
“I don’t think that everybody understands that the dispatch center is a big push on this,” Trustee Gary Britten said. “We’ve been talking about this new building for 10 years, but now it’s pushing us hard.”
Over the last decade there have been several proposals made, with engineering firms also looking over the current building and what would be required to get old construction up to current building code standards, as well as doing upgrades for things like modern electrical needs, for things like computer systems. The current building has structural steel and crumbling block issues. Past proposals have been as high as $1 million, for repairs, or a smaller building described as a plain white box.
The Collaborative appeared to be first choice as architect.
Bob Mack said he would be abstaining on a vote to approve the company, because their proposal includes work being done by the Poggemeyer Design Group. Mack is currently involved in a project, outside of being a trustee, and did not want any appearance of a conflict of interest, he said.
In a follow-up interview, Mack said he would leave the choice of an architect in the hands of the other two trustees, Joe Schaller and Britten. Mack will also be out of town, on a trip planned months ago, and missing the next meeting.
In addition to the choice between renovation and building something completely new, a further wrinkle has appeared that was not part of previous discussions. The emergency services dispatch unit is in need of both facilities and technology upgrades. Trustees are discussing moving it across the parking lot and into the administration building.
On the dispatch move, Mack said, “I’m going to listen.”
“Maybe it’s better to start with a clean slate of space,” he added.
Administrator Walt Celley confirmed that there is remodeling that needs to be done to the dispatch facility, because it “continues to be a problem.”
“The dispatch center can’t wait,” Britten said. “It has to be the number one priority.”
Recent problems with a bathroom and other underground plumbing issues have been fixed, but outside contractor Downey Plumbing had to be called in. Normally, the maintenance department would be used. At that most recent trustees meeting, Maintenance Director Marvin Conner confirmed that the clogged drains, while repaired, are expected to re-clog and that a new floor is needed. There have also been technology upgrade problems.
It became clear that solving the dispatch issues would involve shutting down the current facility during any renovations. However, Britten voiced the need for both the police and fire departments to have an uninterrupted working dispatch center, which is when moving it to the administration building was suggested.
Celley said that the selection of an architect is expected “relatively soon.”
“What’s not up in the air is that the board is planning on doing something and is moving with all deliberate speed,” he said.
