By Stephen Floyd
The City of Mount Angel has agreed to purchase an undeveloped lot for a new City Hall and officials are optimistic the project could be finished without asking voters for a bond.
The city has agreed to pay $240,000 for a quarter-acre lot at 295 W. Marquam St. currently owned by Mount Angel Bible Church.
The funds will come from $300,000 set aside last year for City Hall replacement. An additional $100,000 is budgeted for this line item in the fiscal year starting July 1.
City Manager Mark Daniel said once the sale is closed, the next step will be to develop plans for the property. Officials have discussed a two-story building with the police department on the first floor and city administration on the second floor.
“We’re all very excited about moving ahead with that project as soon as possible,” Daniel told Our Town.
The current City Hall, located on North Garfield Street, was built in 1929 and Daniel said critical systems such as HVAC are failing, while the building is also not seismically-sound. There is also a lack of space with no rooms big enough for community events or even City Council meetings, which are held across the street at Mt. Angel Public Library.
Daniel said a new City Hall would ideally include common areas like conference rooms and event spaces. He said there will be many opportunities for public input to ensure the building is a resource for the community.
“It’s not my house, it’s their house,” said Daniel.
The total cost of the project will be unclear until plans are developed, and this figure may still change closer to breaking ground as construction costs continue to fluctuate. Daniel said, according to his rough calculations, he believes the city could afford to take out a loan and make payments from current revenue sources rather than go out for a bond.
