Costs likely much higher for Atwater city building

ATWATER -- Plans for the city of Atwater to build a new municipal building may have hit a snag.

The city had estimated the municipal building to cost about $350,000, but it's possible that estimate could now be doubled.

The City Council was informed by its building inspector from the Mid-Minnesota Development Commission that additional requirements, such as soil borings, a survey, topography maps and building plans drawn up by an architect, not a draftsman, are necessary.

Those extra costs, which are required because the proposed building is a public facility, could put the project at about $700,000.

The city had budgeted about $350,000 because the city currently has that much in its reserves.

As a result of the new information, some council members are now rethinking plans to build a new facility to house the city offices, police department and library.

At its meeting last week, the council discussed options, including keeping the library at its current location in a commercial building that the city is now renting along U.S. Highway 12.

It was suggested that the city purchase that building as a permanent home for the library and that the city ask the Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City School District if they have room to rent at the elementary school for the city office.

The city office and police department are currently located in the town's old train depot.

"Everything's up in the air," said City Clerk Goldie Smith.

Mayor Bruce Baker, who was out of town for last week's council meeting, was surprised to learn of the new developments when contacted this week by the West Central Tribune.

Baker had pushed to get the building plans ready prior to his departure and thought everything was in order for the city to act as its own contractor for the project to help keep the costs low. He had expected bids to be let and construction to begin this spring.

He said he wasn't ready to abandon the building plans and said more information is necessary about the requirements and the cost estimates.

Baker said the project may need to be delayed until he returns to Atwater next month.