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'Dream list' reviewed on Town Hall project
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - January 18, 2012)
'Dream list' reviewed on Town Hall project
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Munson officials are wrapping up their discussion period before beginning plans for renovating Township Hall.
Township Trustees met with architect Henry Penttila last week to review comments offered by township employees on what may be needed for the expanded and renovated Town Hall.
"You need to have this kind of discussion," Mr. Penttila said. "Everything has to be put out there."
Among suggestions offered are a better-defined entrance to the building, correction of leaking roofs, new office and storage spaces and allowing for future needed expansion.
Trustee Irene McMullen called it "everybody's sort of dream list."
Mr. Penttila agreed, saying economic realities could put a damper on any of the wish-list proposals.
If the proposal to correct leaking roofs in the building runs into the tens of thousands of dollars, plans may need to be altered, he said. "When you begin to put a dollar value on it, it puts reality into focus real quick."
Mr. Penttila asked the trustees' permission to contact leaders of the townships' boards and committees whether they want to provide input.
Trustee Todd Ray said that would be the smart thing to do. "Contacting any users of the building only makes sense," he said.
Mr. Penttila said he also plans to invite comments from residents.
He said he is nearing completion of interviews with employees. "I will continue these interviews, and from them will emerge a picture of the building that is needed to meet and serve the needs of the Munson Township community."
Not all of the wishes can be met, Mr. Penttila said. "There needs to be a prioritizing of the needs expressed in these interviews," he said. "The discussion will result in a building program that is both affordable and appropriate."
One suggestion that's not likely gain much traction is the elimination of ball fields on the Town Hall property. Mrs. McMullen said she is assuring the public that there will not be a loss in playing fields because of the project.
According to some feedback, the Town Hall looks "bland" and lacks an image of the township's heritage.
Mr. Penttila said he plans to be at every trustees meeting to provide regular updates. He said he anticipates completing interviews by the Jan. 24 meeting and provide a site plan and proposed building program by the Feb. 14 meeting. He said he will seek approval for those plans at the Feb. 28 meeting.
Construction documents will be completed by March or April, Mr. Penttila said. Bidding will be done in May, and groundbreaking will be in June, he said. All exterior work is anticipated to be completed by Nov. 15, with substantial completion of the entire project by February 2013, he said. Landscaping and remaining site work would be finished by spring of 2013, he said.
Mr. Penttila said he would have to work carefully to coordinate construction work with outdoor activities at the township park, as well as with Geauga County's planned relocation of Sherman Road just south of Township Hall.
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