One of Siloam Springs' oldest downtown buildings is set to get some much-needed attention after members of the Board of Directors voted to approve a budget amendment devoting up to $350,000 to the restoration of the old Post Office.
The plan would include asbestos abatement, and work on the heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing systems, said City Administrator Phillip Patterson. Patterson said staff does not believe now is the right time to sell the building, but a renovation may increase the building's value and make the sale of the building a better option.
The building's deed includes a clause that requires the owner to maintain the building and a historical mural that is on a wall above the room formerly used as the postmaster's office.
The budget amendment prompted several comments from the public. Museum Board of Directors member Alan Lamb spoke to give his support to the amendment, along with Kelsey Howard and Wayne Mays, who endorsed the amendment on behalf of Main Street Siloam Springs and the Chamber of Commerce, respectively. Mays said that during a recent Chamber meeting, the board showed "uniform support" for the amendment.
Three downtown business owners also spoke in favor of the renovation. Trish Houston, who said she also owns several buildings downtown, said the building standing empty was difficult for nearby business owners. She said she and other business owners wanted to see the building being used and become a viable part of downtown.
Heather Lanker, who owns a building adjacent to the post office, also spoke in favor of the renovation, saying downtown business would be enhanced by something moving into the building that would enhance area foot traffic. Robin Stewart, who owns Bathe, agreed and endorsed the amendment.
Former mayor David Allen said he absolutely supported the amendment, though he disagreed with the museum's stated intention to stay in their current building.
Director Lucas Roebuck was the first to speak in opposition to the amendment.
"What's been presented here is a false choice," Roebuck said. "I don't think we have enough information to vote on this tonight."
Roebuck said he was opposed to the amendment for three reasons. First, he didn't want the city government to get more involved in the building before knowing that it is absolutely necessary. Roebuck said he wanted to know if it would be feasible to release the building into the marketplace and let private enterprise take care of it.
Second, Roebuck said he was wary of investing more money into a project that will likely not pay for itself. Thirdly, Roebuck said the money may be better used investing in areas other than downtown. Roebuck said he wanted the board to hold onto the amendment for a few more weeks while research was done into other options.
Directors Carol Smiley and Bob Coleman spoke next, saying action needed to be taken as soon as possible. Smiley said the board didn't need to decide the use of the building immediately, but no matter what was going to be done with the old Post Office, repairs would need to be made.
"There is not going to be anybody who is interested in this building unless you do some minimum of work," Smiley said. "This building has sat empty way too long."
Coleman agreed and said he wanted to make the improvements immediately, before the building could deteriorate further.
"I don't care who goes in there, nobody's going in there till we do something with it," Coleman said.
After the remaining members of the board all got a chance to speak, each in favor of the amendment, Roebuck said he wanted to see more options before he voted on the project.
"I don't think it's going to hurt us to take another two weeks or four weeks to do our due diligence," Roebuck said.
Director Steve Beers ended discussion by offering a motion to call for previous question, which was approved, ending debate and prompting a vote on a motion to approve the amendment made earlier by Director Brad Burns. Burns' motion passed 5-1, with Roebuck voting against and Director Amy Smith absent.
The board also:
• recognized Police Sergeant Chris Salley, who is retiring at the end of May. Salley has served as a School Resource Officer.
• approved administering a grant to Genesis House from the State Emergency Solutions Grant.
• approved the 2017 declaration of city surplus items to be auctioned.
• approved the 2017 update to the Emergency Operations Plan.
• approved the purchase of a forklift for the electric department.
• Placed an ordinance allowing the Planning Commission chairman to determine the order of the Planning and Zoning and Board of Adjustments meetings, which meet on the same day, back-to-back.
General News on 05/21/2017