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Council contemplates putting $375,000 'brand' on City Hall

Nelson Daily Editor
By Nelson Daily Editor
January 31st, 2011

By Timothy Schafer, The Nelson Daily

City council could be looking to spend over $375,000 this year as it intends to give the aging White Building a new facelift, and put the City of Nelson “brand” on it, according to preliminary budget discussion information.

Budget discussion resume again today (9 a.m., City council chambers) as council figures out how your tax dollars will be spent in the coming year.

One of those ways could be for up to $350,000 to be spent to clean the exterior, repair and possibly refinish or re-clad the White Building, where City Hall is housed.

According to a City staff report, the existing original exterior stucco with white colour is “dirty, dated and in need of cleaning and repair.”

Concerns about mould growth in the wall cavity from improper cleaning has also been raised.

City council could approve a clean only solution; repair, clean and repaint the exterior; repair, clean and re-stucco; or reclad all or portions of the existing stucco for up to $350,000.

With the improved exterior, the report stated they could “hopefully encourage the existing tenancy base to remain while encouraging others to consider occupying existing vacant space.”

A further $25,500 could be spent refinishing the existing ceramic and linoleum lobby interiors of the main, second and basement floors, which were deemed to be “very dated in appearance,” according to a City staff report.

With the building being owned by the City, it was proposed the existing ceramic tile would be replaced with stone carpet and the City of Nelson crest laid in full colour into the lobby floors on all three levels.

According to the report, the City “has yet to significantly ‘brand’ the building interior as a ‘City of Nelson facility’ and this project may present an opportunity to do so.”

The objective of the project would make the building “more attractive and hopefully more interesting.”

Also under consideration is a $230,000 expenditure this year for completion of the second floor renovation of the fire hall. The renovation is expected to improve the carbon footprint under the Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

For 2012, a further $160,000 could be spent on the renovation.

editor@thenelsondaily.com

 

 

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