Lakeland City Council Scraps Telus Building Purchase Plan for New City Hall
In a 3-2 vote, the Lakeland City Council has rejected a plan to purchase a commercial building in downtown Lakeland for its new city hall. The proposed purchase price was $525,000, which is less than the estimated $1.4 million needed for a new city hall.
According to council member David Millard, many residents expressed concerns about the size and accessibility of the Telus building, citing its small square footage and lack of handicapped parking. Residents also preferred exploring smaller post-and-frame buildings that could be expanded in the future.
Mayor Bob Craggs had initially supported purchasing the Telus building due to its central location and potential for quick move-in readiness. However, he expressed disappointment at the council's decision, which will now delay the construction of a new city hall by 18 months or more.
The Lakeland City Council has allocated $550,000 in capital costs for a city hall and a "rainy-day fund" with $2.1 million set aside specifically for this purpose. It remains to be seen how the council will proceed with its plans for a new city hall.
Telus, which is relocating its corporate headquarters to Hudson, Wisconsin, has indicated that it will put the proposed building back on the market, citing interest from other potential buyers.
In a 3-2 vote, the Lakeland City Council has rejected a plan to purchase a commercial building in downtown Lakeland for its new city hall. The proposed purchase price was $525,000, which is less than the estimated $1.4 million needed for a new city hall.
According to council member David Millard, many residents expressed concerns about the size and accessibility of the Telus building, citing its small square footage and lack of handicapped parking. Residents also preferred exploring smaller post-and-frame buildings that could be expanded in the future.
Mayor Bob Craggs had initially supported purchasing the Telus building due to its central location and potential for quick move-in readiness. However, he expressed disappointment at the council's decision, which will now delay the construction of a new city hall by 18 months or more.
The Lakeland City Council has allocated $550,000 in capital costs for a city hall and a "rainy-day fund" with $2.1 million set aside specifically for this purpose. It remains to be seen how the council will proceed with its plans for a new city hall.
Telus, which is relocating its corporate headquarters to Hudson, Wisconsin, has indicated that it will put the proposed building back on the market, citing interest from other potential buyers.