The Plymouth City Building will undergo renovations this fall. The architects will finalize plans this month. It is the hope of the Plymouth City Council and the Plymouth Redevelopment Commission that the bidding process will proceed in June with the sale of bonds in July. The project is anticipated to begin in August.
City Attorney Sean Surrisi said the clerk-treasurer’s office will see a big change.
“It will make the front counter a little more accessible to customers,” said Surrisi. “There will be a new office where they can take new customers and have a little bit more privacy for setting up new accounts or if there’s a concern or issue. There will also be capability for the clerk’s staff to work at the counter on busy days. They’ll have a work station there.”
Surrisi adds the mayor’s office and council chambers will be relocated.
“The mayor’s office and his assistant’s office will be moved upstairs. There will be an elevator and a stairwell built in the back part of the building. The plan is to purchase the adjacent chamber of commerce building and do some renovations on the façade and some renovations on the first floor. The chamber of commerce will remain on the first floor. The city will take over the second floor of the building to expand the city council chambers and conference space.”
The proposed cost of the project is estimated to be $2.5 million.
The newly formed Redevelopment Authority will sell the bonds to finance the project and the bonds will be repaid through a building lease by the Redevelopment Commission. A 10-year bond will be recommended. Surrisi explained that funds from the U.S. 30 and Oak Road TIF District will be used to make the lease payments.
“Even though the project isn’t within that TIF area, TIF funds can be used if it’s a project that will have a city-wide benefit. Since the city hall serves the entire city, that TIF area has been tapped to fund the project.”
A resolution pertaining to that action was approved by the Plymouth City Council, the Plymouth Redevelopment Commission and the Plymouth Plan Commission. A public hearing is set for next week’s Redevelopment Commission meeting that will ultimately allow the members to adopt a confirming resolution that will add the plan to the TIF area which meets the goals of the city and the comprehensive plan.
