05-13-1991 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MAY 13, 1991 ( #16)CITY FACILITIES CONTINUED the Committee,, who a,--e also residents of this Community. The Orono Planning Commission voted unanimously to adopt our r_•ecommendation. The only factor that really favors this site, as opposed to the Highway 12 location, is centrality. The initial, primary argument which favored this site was;that originally we thought it to be less expensive- One that was no longer the case, then centrality became the positive aspect. It would be one thing if this site could support all facilities. It cannot, and 10,000 square feet of building space will not be adequate. The Facilities Committee agreed with the consultants that 15,000 square feet is needed. If the City chooses a split site, there will be neighbor opposition to placing the public works facility at the sewer plant property." Rich Kiemen, 1212 Briar Street, asked what would happen to the buildings on the existing site if the Highway 12 site is selected. Mayor Peterson replied, "Council has not discussed what would happen to this property. It could be sold or converted entirely into'a park." Butler added that °_.here . are really no 'other options than those two. Jabbour indicated that the City has made a commitment to tearing down the- existing buildings, should another site be selected. Mayor Peterson added, "All of the buildings would come down, with the exception of the Post Office, and possibly this Council Chambers." Gary Printup, _1261 B:: iar Street, stated that there a.-.-e possible ways to expand the facilities should they be constructed on this site, such as purchasing adjacent parcels that come on the market for sale. Printup noted that was done in .the past ,to_..__._..., acquire the building in which City Hall now exists. Bill Wear expressed concern regarding the traffic congestion that,already exists on Highway 12. He stated that given that the Highway 11.2 property, on which the City has an option, is located on the north side of Highway 12, it will be difficult to access. Wear stated that 95% of Orono residents live on the south side of Highway 12 and would have to cross it, at what is a very bad intersection, in order to go to City Hall to take care of business they may have. Wilbur Anderson read a .letter that 27, 1918, regarding the property on which The letter refers to a restricted deed for - 11 - had been written March the City Hall now sits. Lot 3, Block 1,