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Show MSL Expansion Neadgd; Bui Problems Arise By MARK D. MICKELSEN NORTH SALT LAKE A North Salt Lake administrator Tuesday said there is "an immediate need" to expand the city municipal building and provide departments depart-ments with more space. Funding for the multi-thousand dollar project, however, poses some altogether different problems. CITY MANAGER Collin Wood said a study completed by a local architectural firm shows a significant need for expansion in all city departments and says "the expansion ex-pansion should have taken place a number of years ago." Lloyd and Butler Architects of Salt Lake, in doing the study, came up with three separate proposals aimed at enlarging the facility. The first proposal would allow the city to utilize its existing building. However, another story would be added on top, providing access to the center from both Highway-89 and Main Street. "THE ONLY problem with that," said Mr. Wood, "would be the close proximity of the building to Quick's Inn." The tavern is located just east of the existing municipal building at the corner of Center and Highway-89. Representatives of Lloyd and Butler are recommending that the city purchase the land owned by Quick's Inn, which Mr. Wood said "looks like a better alternative at this point." THE SECOND proposal calls for an entirely en-tirely new facility, with access points along Center, Main and Highway-89. The proposal prop-osal would require complete demolition of the city's existing building. The third proposal shows a plaza-like development with several buildings connected con-nected by walkways. ALTHOUGH the proposals have been presented only to Mr. Wood and Mayor Robert Palmquist, the city manager said officials are looking at utilizing the existing building and possibly purchasing the Quick's Inn property. "If w e cannot logically and economically utilize this building, then I'm sure the city would demolish it and start from scratch," Mr. Wood said. HE SAID the plaza approach would probably cost the city more, but supported the idea of a two-story structure with multiple multi-ple access points. In reviewing preliminary sketches of the interior of the two-story facility, Mr. Wood pointed out that lower floors would be utilized for public safety, while upper floors would be used for administration offices, city council and planning commission commis-sion chambers. DEPENDING on how the structure is built, the administrative offices would be accessed from Highway-89. Fire and police business would be taken care of off Main or Center streets. Handcuffed prisoners w ho are now temporarily tem-porarily held in the municipal building would not be seen by water bill payers and other facility visitors under the new proposal. prop-osal. ALTHOUGH the cost of the new structure struc-ture is "sketchy," Mr. Wood estimated that $700, 000 or more will have to be sptnt . Construction on the building could begin as early as next fall, he said, if architectural and financing plans satisfy the city council. "THE BOTTOM line is dollars. How do you finance something like that?" the city manager said. "The aspect of federal funding is probably prob-ably no longer an alternative," he added, due to the fact that federal grants have been cut substantially. "The chances of getting one now are very slim." HE NOTED that "as a last resort." the city may have to entertain a bond resolution. resolu-tion. The need for expansion "is immediate," he said. "Therefore the action should be as immediate as possible." ONE OF THE city's concerns, he said, is "what happens if the old buildi.ig is demolished?" de-molished?" Although services would still be provided, officials would have to relocate relo-cate until construction was completed. If that can be handled, the city manager said, then the possibility exists for an entirely en-tirely new building. ARCHITECTURAL sketches of the three proposals will be presented to the city council in April. The council has the final say as to financing and building proposals. -, CT.yjLaiwOTJTBn |