Debate begins after Discovery Center purchase
By FAIRFIELD GLADE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
For The Vista
Last year we had an agreement to purchase the Discovery Center property for $430,000 but later withdrew it when we identified significant additional costs in excess of $200,000 needed to make the entire building fully ADA compliant for administration offices and our Police Department.
The final cost would have been over a $1M with all renovations and upgrades over time.
The Board has revisited that decision and we have an agreement with the Fairfield Glade First Baptist Church Leadership Council to purchase the property for $400,000, including 2.4 acres of land and an 8,100 square foot building, for a number of reasons:
1) The location is ideal with its high visibility near the entrance to Fairfield Glade and Food City where most people shop for groceries. It is also centrally located for accessibility to all our residents.
2) We need a new Police Station sooner rather than later.
3) Although Tom Anderson has not made a final decision on making land available for the Police Station he is reluctant to give up the proposed location next to the Fire Station and other locations are less than ideal.
4) Finding a home for the Police in the next few months will avoid the necessity to purchase a temporary modular Police building with an estimated cost of $100,000.
5) This location had been requested by Chief Williams in the past. It is the best location for the Police Station as it is not in a residential area, it is visible to residents and visitors and it provides easy access to major thoroughfares.
6) The costs to make the entire building ADA compliant, and the costs of renovations and upgrades can be dramatically reduced if we only use the lower/main level for the Police and the remainder of the building is left vacant until additional Community Club space needs present themselves.
7) The 8,100 square feet building, sitting on 2.4 acres, provides a lot of flexibility for future use once master planning activities have been completed.
The purchase of the Discovery Building will provide a much needed home for the Police Department in a much shorter timeframe and at approximately the same cost as a new building currently budgeted at $700,000 for a 3,200 square foot building. The budget doesnot include any additional cost for acquiring land for the building.
Previously the FAC recommended we not pay more than $300,000 for the property.
They were focusing on the life cycle costs of the building vs. a new building whereas the Board’s focus is on the excellent location of the property and its long-term uses for FGCC.
We believe by owning this property we will be able to better protect the entrance to Fairfield Glade.
The Church Leadership Council has called a meeting of their membership on February 21st to vote on the sale of the Discovery Center property.