City Hall, YMCA pool main topics of LH City Council
By Scott Johnson
LOCK HAVEN – The future of Lock Haven City Hall was once again a major topic at council’s meeting Monday night.
City Manager Greg Wilson told council members the city’s administrative staff recently met again with the city’s architect from Buchart Horn, Scott Leorcher, concerning the $2.5 million council budgeted for upgrades to City Hall.
The discussion progressed, Wilson said, to the lot next to Hope Hose Fire Company on E. Church St. which is also owned by the city, to house a combined police operation and Hope Hose in a single site building.
That, then, would leave nine employees at City Hall.
Using the former State Store as a guide, Leorcher was able to model an office space for a downtown storefront to accommodate the remaining members of city staff. That estimate was $1 million, Wilson said.
That phase, Wilson noted, came in “significantly less” than the $6 million originally estimated to upgrade the current City Hall. The final point of discussion, Wilson said, regarded adjusting the list of upgrades to City Hall to just improvements to the police department.
“Presently, the city has $2.5 million it can draw toward improvements for city facilities,” Wilson wrote. “It would seem most advantageous to continue to engage Buchart Horn to pursue and expansion of the Hope Hose facility to accommodate both police and the Hope Hose Fire Co.”
“I think it’s a great idea and a great concept,” Council member Doug Byerly said.
Further discussion ensued until Mayor Joel Long erupted, “We have a responsibility to the public and we will do everything we can to fix the building.” Long added the police restrooms are a “high priority.”
Wilson said there are numerous issues with the current City Hall, including electrical, HVAC, plumbing in all restrooms and the police locker room. That work, he said, could cost upwards of $6 million.
Added discussion on all the needed work and the possibility of somehow combining with Hope Hose is expected at council’s next meeting on June 20.
In another matter from Monday’s meeting, Beth Bartlett, associate executive director, and Brandon Ranck, membership director, of the Lock Haven Branch YMCA, asked the city for a $31,047 donation to help it reach its tier one goal of $280,000 for needed work at the pool in its “Pool Restoration Campaign.”
“It’s so much missed by our members and is so needed for the community,” Bartlett said, noting the pool has been closed for the last two years due to equipment problems.
The request was granted unanimously with money remaining in the city’s American Rescue Plan fund.
The project should take 12-14 weeks to complete with it expected to be open by late fall of this year.
________________________________________
