20021209 Short on space by Megen Wessel

Short on space

Writing for the Carroll County Times, Megen Wessel discusses the over-crowding in Westminster’s City Hall. To be sure, the building is an old mansion and NOT an office building. It certainly is quaint, but it has gotten hard to run a 25 million dollar public service corporation from within those quaint historic walls…

By Megen Wessel
Thursday, December 19, 2002

Times Staff Writer

Limited space in Westminster City offices means file cabinets in hallways, overflowing storage spaces and the inability to expand programs.

To get a handle on the current space issues and address space concerns in the future, the city formed a committee and hired a consultant.

"City Hall is not an office building, it's a mansion," said Thomas B. Beyard, director of planning and public works, whose office is in City Hall.

The study showed inadequacies in security, technology, communication between departments and working space for employees in most departments and suggested that the city consider building an central office building that would house all city staff.

"We enjoy our location, it's fun to be on Main Street," said Karen Blandford, Westminster's administrator of Housing and Community Development. "But it's difficult being away from City Hall and access to decision-makers above me."

The city's Housing and Community Development office and finance departments are both located in leased spaces at Winchester West on John Street.

City officials all agree that having all departments under one roof would help improve communication and teamwork.

But the proposed three-story building could cost the city as much as $4.5 million - an amount the city doesn't have and isn't willing to pay right now.

"I was shocked at the amount. We just don't have that," said Councilman Gregory Pecoraro.

In the meantime, staff members are trying to make creative use of what space they have. The council will begin discussing solutions and future growth during its upcoming budget discussions, Pecoraro said.

"I think there is enough room for everyone right now, but if we grow in any department then we will have to do something," Pecoraro said.

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