Pittsfield Still Weighing Options For DPW Garage
(1).jpg) The DPW garage on West Housatonic burned in 2013 and the city still has determined how to replace it. |
Mayor Daniel Bianchi says estimates to build a new garage came in higher than he had hoped and that a lease may serve the city better.
As the city approaches the two-year mark since the fire, the city has issued a request for proposals for another leasing contract.
Meanwhile, the commissioner of public utilities has been asked to look into and compare options for rebuilding the garage.
"I've asked for an assessment of whether or not to build a garage, whether we buy or continue to lease. We have a pretty good lease agreement and we're going out right now for requests for proposal for a new lease," Bianchi said on Tuesday.
Estimates to rebuild on the site came in as high as $6.2 million. During the budgeting process, the mayor asked for a $3 million borrowing authority, which would renovate the current offices and build a smaller $2.4 million garage. Insurance paid the city $1.3 million.
That request was ultimately rejected by the City Council because of a lack of information.
"We want to make sure we have a good, secure space that isn't an impediment to the neighborhood." Bianchi said.
For the last two years, the city has leased a warehouse on Elmvale Place, off Wahconah Street. Bianchi said a couple property owners have taken out bid packages for the next contract bidding.
"Based on the prices we've received for building, we could lease at current rates for the next 30 years," he said.
The current lease is being paid by the insurance company, but Bianchi doesn't expect that to last long. During the budget debate, he had hoped to get the borrowing approvals so as to avoid picking up that tab.
However, the estimated cost of leasing has "given us the flexibility to be able to consider the options," Bianchi said.
The Department of Public Works renovations are expected to be forthcoming while the assessment is done to consider what to do with the garaging itself.
The city still owns the land on West Housatonic Street where the garage once stood. The garage was demolished shortly after the fire because of hazardous conditions.
Bianchi added that there are other advantages to leasing, including increased assessment on the property leased.
The City Council had previously previously raised eyebrows to a lease agreement the mayor enacted to move the inspections department out of City Hall.
Tags: capital projects, DPW, leasing, town garage,
