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Indian Shores plans new town hall
By MELISSA LATTMAN
| Article published on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009 |
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![[Image]](/content_images/102009_bhb-01.jpg) |
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| Illustration: TOWN OF INDIAN SHORES |
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| The Town of Indian Shores is proposing to build a 15,000-square foot Municipal Center behind the current Town Hall. The project is estimated to cost $3.2 million and will be paid for by Penny for Pinellas funds. |
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INDIAN SHORES – Town Administrator E.D. Williams said plans are moving ahead on the town’s goal to build a new municipal center during an update Oct. 13.
The building committee is evaluating responses of engineers and architects for the proposed 15,000-square-foot structure.
The town has received preliminary drawings, a general layout and requested quotes. Thus far there have been 17 responses.
The building committee of four staff members and Councilor Bill Smith is evaluating the responses based on a defined matrix with a point structure. The committee plans to meet as a group by early November and narrow down the number of bidders as part of a presentation to the Town Council, Williams said.
The primary goal is to build a facility up to the highest hurricane standards. Mayor Jim Lawrence said town officials don’t believe the current town hall building can survive a big storm.
Because of that, town officials must now move town records off site in anticipation of a hurricane evacuation. The original portion of the current building was built in 1953, Lawrence said.
The project, which is estimated to cost $3.2 million, would be paid for by Penny for Pinellas funds.
The proposed building would be a three-story structure over ground level parking.
Additional space would be another benefit of the new building. The proposed center would about triple the existing space.
The top floor would be the community center. The middle floor would house the library and government offices. The first buildable floor would have the police and building departments, Williams said.
The new building would be located east of the present town hall’s location. It would look out over the Intracoastal Waterway. The current building site would most likely become additional parking for the new building.
The town wants resident input on the project. Tentative plans call for the formation of a building advisory committee with community participation. There also will be a public meeting on the new municipal center in early January, Williams said.
Town officials are still working on the project time line. After selection of an engineer and architect, the town will select a builder/contractor.
The tentative plan, which could change, is to break ground around Jan. 15. Then, depending on the selected builder’s schedule, the construction would take 12 to 18 months from the start date, Williams said.
In other matters:
• The town’s 60th Anniversary Ball is Saturday, Nov. 7, 7 to 10 p.m. The event, catered by Salt Rock Grill with dance music by Memories, will be at the Indian Shores Town Hall. Tickets are $25.
• Municipal elections for two council positions, each for three years are set for March 9. Check with the town clerk or on the town Web site for filing requirements and details on the qualifying period, which ends Dec. 11.
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Article published on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009
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