The city tried to purchase the building last year, Lewis said, but could not reach an agreement with the building’s owner Thomas Wortley.
“We should have done this 10-15 years ago,” Lewis said in a recent Finance Committee meeting. “But we have the opportunity now and I feel like we should do this. The building would be very useful to us.”
The city plans to consolidate some of its other storage properties into the building, including the police department’s K-9 training equipment and other fire department equipment. The police department’s evidence room and some public records will also be moved to the new building, Lewis said.
Money to purchase the building would be split, with $100,000 each from the fire fund and property acquisition fund, and $59,000 from the general fund, according to Lewis.
“We feel like this building is a good fit for the fire division, the police and the city building,” Lewis said.
Councilman Carl Bray, who is the finance committee chairman, toured the building and said it was in pretty good shape, but expressed some concern.
“This building is in pretty good shape and can be cleaned up,” Bray said. “But my question is whether this is the best use of our money at this time.”
The purchase was introduced to city council at its meeting Monday night, but it will not be voted on until the next meeting, which is scheduled for Jan. 7.
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