Margate officials discuss plans for former City Hall

Written by SHAUN SMITH Wednesday, March 13, 2013 02:51 pm

Possibilities include moving historical society into Union Ave.

MARGATE – Now that the city has accepted the deed to the Union Avenue School, officials are discussing what to do with City Hall, which is undergoing mold remediation.

The city commissioners tossed out a few ideas during their workshop session Thursday, March 14.

“It's appropriate we talk about repurposing city facilities in this building – this is the first meeting we've had since we transferred title,” Mayor Mike Becker began. “We would like to have your input.”

Commissioner Brenda Taube said city professionals are mapping out space at both Union Avenue School and City Hall on Washington Avenue, which sustained substantial flood damage during Hurricane Sandy. City Hall offices were moved into the school, and it was repurposed to accommodate city services.

“I think I can speak for everybody and say we are all pretty comfortable here,” Taube said.

“It's nice to have the one-stop shop for our residents. With the departments that we have here, I think we're all pretty happy here,” she said.

One possibility is bringing in the historical society, she said.

“One of their complaints was visitorship, so if we have our residents coming here to the municipal complex at Union Avenue School, they might be able to visit upstairs while they’re here.”

Becker said it makes sense to have the historical society’s artifacts somewhere that is open to the public during normal business hours.

System administrator Fred Verna envisioned a space for the office of emergency management that would serve as a command center during a storm.

He also said the Union Avenue School needs a backup generator – a fact made apparent by a March 13 storm that shrouded much of Absecon Island in darkness.

Fire Chief Tony Tabasso said some space on the first floor of City Hall could be used for storage and a workout area for personnel. He said that would create more space for vehicles inside the firehouse next door.

“That's something that is pretty much essential to our operation that could really help us out,” Tabasso said.

City Engineer Ed Walberg agreed that the historical society could see more visitors on Union Avenue and added that space could be allocated for the fire department.

Walberg said the boiler control system in the school building needs updating.

“There are a number of steam valves that need to be replaced to get adequate temperature control in all the classrooms that are now office space,” Walberg said. “The boilers are 30-some years old; you can replace them with much more efficient units and alleviate the need for the black seal.”

Walberg added that the parking lot could accommodate 28 parking spaces.

“When we renovate the old City Hall, we'll probably consume the whole first floor with the proper amount of space for the judge's chambers, an interview room, handicap-accessible bathrooms and a caucus room,” Walberg said.

He suggested the city keep its court and board meetings in the former City Hall because it is more formal. He said there is a lot of work to be done, including on the elevator system.

Business administrator Rich Deaney said in discussions with the Margate Library board, which oversees the operation of the historical society, that the multipurpose room in Union Avenue School where meetings are currently held could be used for programming.

“If we're going to build in new meeting space back in the historic center of our community, which many of us favor – that is, restoring the meeting room for Commission, Planning Board and other purposes – it would free up space here that is occasionally used for a meeting,” he said.

Becker said he was happy with how the discussion progressed.

“I'm glad we started this dialogue today. As you all can tell, there are a lot of opinions and a lot for work to be done,” he said. “The public can make comments in writing or here during the week.”