Bids sought for remodeling ‘new’ Town Hall

NORTH EAST — The Town Hall on North Maple Avenue, built as a two-story home, dates to the early 20th century and no longer meets the needs of the community.

On May 16, bids will be opened for remodeling and reconstruction of the former Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses on Route 22 in North East to serve as the new North East Town Hall.

The town completed the $430,000 purchase of the 3-acre tax-exempt property last July.

A resolution authorizing the solicitation of bids notes that Jeanne Vanecko, an architect and resident of North East, has donated architecture and design services and prepared a set of preliminary plans with a scope of work that is estimated to cost approximately $390,000.

The Town Board plans to pay for reconstruction work at the new Town Hall with $25,000 in budgeted funds as well as $365,310 in surplus funds. It also plans for a reimbursement in the amount of $200,000 from a New York State Local Community Assistance Progam Grant.

The current Town Hall, which was purchased by the Town in 1974, will be sold after the move to reimburse the surplus fund account.

The new building at 5603 Route 22, which was built in 1990, is on a single floor and is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, while the current building is not due to a steep staircase and narrow hallways. It also offers more square feet (4,500) than the current location (2,700). There is a large open space that will accommodate 50 people, compared to the approximate 15 at the current location.