City will seek Memorial Building design plans

   City commissioners unanimously voted Monday night to have design plans drawn up for a  multi-use Memorial Building.  Commissioners hashed out a variety of options before Public Works Commissioner Brett Gay made a motion for the city to seek proposals that incorporate city offices and utilities offices in the building, as well as a senior center and space for additional tenants.      Possible future tenants discussed include Nebraska City Tourism and Commerce (NCTC), Nebraska City Area Economic Development Corporation and some county entities.
    Gay said it was time for the city to take action.  “We’re far past the point where we need to talk about it.  It’s time to do something,” he said. 
   Finance commissioner Mark Mercer stressed that it was important to go along with the results of the public opinion survey, which found that most favored keeping the building and using it as an events center.  Many also favored moving local government offices into the building.
   “I think we have got to focus on the top of the survey,” Mercer said.
   Street Commissioner Dean Handy said he was in favor of moving the city and utility offices into the building.  “I think the office idea is really the answer,” he said.
   Bill Moore said he liked the idea of a multiple use building, but was concerned that parking was inadequate for a senior center.  He proposed converting the current city hall into a senior center.  Gay said he envisions city hall housing the fire department and EMS division and that it would accommodate growth in the departments.
   Moore asked that the renovated Memorial Building contain a portion honoring veterans, and Gay assured him that the idea would be incorporated into the building’s design.
   City Administrator Pat Haverty said the city's budget has $14,000 remaining for consultant services, but that the Memorial Building project may exceed that amount.  He said he expects proposals to be received and an architect to be chosen within 45 days.                                                 The public may vote on a bond issue to fund the renovations as early as November.