Government Center Redevelopment Renderings. (Columbus, Sparta: maintenance, tax, centers)

[Fountain-of-youth]

Originally Posted by amyers3

I think that's the biggest take away for me too. The Parks & Rec department will go another pool season without the funds to repair the city pools and will remain closed, yet we'll steal $1.65 million from SAVINGS that were in the FY20 budget that more than likely they will need in FY21 for things such as government center reconstruction. Better yet, departments that don't need to be in Government Center could of moved here (like the original plan), and saved having to build as large of a new Government Center.

This was NOT something that was at the top of the list of "needs" for the Columbus people. This is a serious WANT that drove right through city council without a problem.

Instead of dealing with a $57,000 increase (plus property taxes) over 20 more years, they will bite off $7 million that will be on the budget for 20 years... seems to make less and less sense the more I type.

I understand they'll still end up with surplus of $2.5 million after 20 years, but being that VC building was built in 1975, it will need to be replaced/major repairs far sooner than 20 years.

Blind leading the blind over here...

Better yet, departments that don't need to be in Government Center could of moved here (like the original plan), and saved having to build as large of a new Government Center.

I bet my bottom row teeth if the SPLOST doesn't pass,they'll jack up the property tax and sell the tower too.

[Fountain-of-youth]

Columbus city leaders will ask voters to pass a special purpose local option sales tax on Nov. 2.

Mayor Skip Henderson said Thursday that a list of projects to be funded by the tax is not yet complete, but renovating or replacing the Columbus Government Center remains a priority.

“We’re still working things out with the building,” he said of the 1971 complex downtown at 100 10th St. “We’ve got to keep our promise to the people that we would give them a safe environment to come visit, and we’re going to do that.”
The cost of the project has not been decided, he said, nor has the total amount of sales tax funding the city would seek for that and other capital improvements.

“We’ve got it down to two or three different options, and we’re really not going to publicize which way we’re leaning yet, because we have to make sure it fits in our budget,” Henderson said of the Government Center.


Moving offices away from the current site remains an option, he said.

“It depends on what council decides,” he said. “It has always been an option. I just don’t think it’s the best option.”

City leaders have talked about replacing or remodeling the building since 2017, when the earliest estimates indicated replacing the complex could cost up to $100 million, and renovating it around half that.

The city expects to have new estimates soon, Henderson said.COVID-19 lockdowns over the past year have prompted more people to work remotely, he added, and less office space may be needed now.

A new city sales tax would be set to expire not on a specific date, but when a set amount of money cited in the referendum is collected, he said.

They going to muck it up,aren't they?!

[Fountain-of-youth]

Courthouse to be 7 stories on current site. Govt offices will move two blocks over.

[amyers3]

Originally Posted by Fountain-of-youth

Courthouse to be 7 stories on current site. Govt offices will move two blocks over.

Where two blocks over?

[Fountain-of-youth]

Originally Posted by amyers3

Where two blocks over?

6th ave/9th st

[Dutch75]

Great location, this area needs redevelopment!

[amyers3]

[Fountain-of-youth]

If its not close to traditional it will stick out like a sore thumb.

[Fountain-of-youth]

It will stick out like a sore thumb if its not close to traditional.

A 200 million project. And that doesn't include a new government center.

[HighTechCountryBoy]

The current building has always been ugly AF!