19990827 City Space Study Com Original memo

MEMORANDUM

TO: Mayor Kenneth A. Yowan

FROM: Council Member Kevin E. Dayhoff

DATE: August 27, 1999

RE: Space Study Committee

At its last meeting, The Mayor and Common Council agreed to an extension of the City's lease of space at Winchester West, located at 56 West Main Street. As you know, for the past five years, the City has rented space at that location for its Finance and Housing offices. The current five-year lease expires on February 28, 2000, and the extension which was approved at the last meeting, extends that period for an additional five years.

Due to time constraints and other operational issues, I fully concurred with the recent action in approving the extension of the lease. However, it is my recommendation that a Space Study Committee be established promptly to look at the issue of the City's space needs in the near and distant future. I make that recommendation for three reasons:

1. Since the City has perpetual existence, it does not appear to me to make good fiscal sense to rent rather than own a facility;

2. Even a cursory view of the current space occupied by Finance and Housing indicates that it is used almost to its maximum. There is very little room for expansion; and

3. There are other sites which may be more suited for the City's needs over the long haul.

In that regard, I believe that the City has a wide range of possible options with respect to its future space needs. Those options include the possibility of building above City Hall where the City currently owns land, the use of the Southern States property or the Farmers Supply property, or the purchase of an existing facility.

This memorandum will advise you that I am willing to chair such a committee or serve as a member. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you wish to discuss this matter further.

CC: All Council Members
Thomas B. Beyard, Director of Planning and Public Works
Stephen V. Dutterer, Director of Finance
John B. Walsh, Jr.