Friday, Oct. 17, 2008

Argyle Town Hall To Relocate

By John English

Contributing Writer

The Argyle Town Council recently approved an offer of $930,000 to purchase 2.3 acres and facilities owned by the Argyle United Methodist Church.

The acquisition is subject to a 60-day due diligence period, which started Oct. 1. The facilities on the property will provide approximately 14,000 square feet of available space.

Town Manager Lyle Dresher said the new facility will help administrators conduct official town business more efficiently.

"For several years, the town council has discussed and considered options for expanding or acquiring town hall space," Dresher said. "The existing town hall is 3,100 square feet in size and houses the police department, administration, courts, development services and permitting, and includes town council chambers. All available space is currently being used to accommodate 10 employees, not counting police patrol personnel."

Dresher said the new facilities will allow the town to do things that the current town hall does not.

"With some renovation, it will allow for town hall administrative operations to be effectively and efficiently laid out thereby better accommodating the citizens and improving customer service, notwithstanding tremendous improvement in overall working conditions," Dresher said.

The total costs for the new location is estimated at $1.34 million, which includes land acquisition, renovation, technology and furniture and fixtures.

Dresher said the town has had support and encouragement from the staff and community for the purchase. Whether the Methodist Church serves as the permanent town hall for Argyle, really depends on how much the town grows.

"This is an historic site [Methodist Hill] and centrally located within the town and the original town site area, so it is right for being the permanent location," Dresher said. "Long-range – 10-12 years – as the town increases in population, and town services are better identified, it’s likely that the town may choose to construct a new building on this site to accommodate government services for the town’s build out. There is ample property to each side of the existing facilities to accommodate new construction or expansion."