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4 <br /> <br />Chair Dorosin said to forward any ideas to staff, including reaching out to the Register <br />of Deeds, the library, the Historic Preservation Commission, etc. <br /> <br />b) Downtown Redevelopment <br /> <br />Margaret Hauth reviewed the following information: <br />Background: <br />The Town and County both own properties downtown that may become available for <br />redevelopment or sale in the next five years or so. A map of the properties is attached. <br />Previously, both boards have indicated an interest in working together on how the properties <br />are disposed or redeveloped. Should the Town and County pursue a joint effort to determine <br />mutually desirable timing and uses for these properties using a small area plan process? <br />Options for that format are: staff meeting to offer options or a short-term committee with <br />elected officials and staff? <br /> <br />Margaret Hauth said both entities have parcels downtown that they want to return to the <br />tax roll. She referred to the map in the packet at their places. She said the Town owns the fire <br />department building, but a third entity owns the parking lot. She said this meeting provides a <br />good opportunity to further this discussion. <br />Chair Dorosin asked if the specific parcels could be identified. <br />Margaret Hauth said the museum, the annex, the police department and a portion of <br />the parking lot, 129 E. King, the current detention center, the fire department and parking lot. <br />Mayor Stevens asked if the timeframe for the Town’s properties could be identified, as <br />they are tied into the Town’s whole campus. <br />Margaret Hauth said the Town is currently renovating the Singer Gatewood medical/ <br />dental building, which will hopefully be completed by the end of the year. She said the Town’s <br />finance offices will move from the annex building to this new location. She said some police <br />will go into the annex, until the combined police and fire station can be built next to the medical <br />building on north Churton Street. She said the fire department and Emergency Services are <br />pursuing the building of a fire station in Waterstone. She said these two fire stations would <br />have to come on-line at the same time in order to have sufficient coverage, or the one in <br />downtown needs to remain. She said there is a 3-5 year timeframe on these projects. <br />Margaret Hauth said the Town’s properties that are listed for redevelopment are more <br />valuable as a package than individually. She said she would recommend selling these <br />properties together, on a preserve ownership of some of the parking to insure that it is not built <br />on. <br />Commissioner Price said she heard a rumor that the police station would be <br />deconstructed. <br />Margaret Hauth said the only plans for this building are to move out of it. <br />Mayor Stevens said it may take at least 3-5 years before the properties are turned over, <br />and he said the general notion is that these buildings will be redeveloped. He said the Town <br />needs the proceeds from these sales to fund other projects. He said changes in downtown <br />would have to go before the historic commission, but could offer a big potential upgrade for the <br />Town. He said the County properties are an unknown to the Town, and that is part of the <br />discussion the Town hopes to have tonight. <br />Town Commissioner Weaver said doors need to be kept wide open because revenue is <br />needed for other projects, and going forward she would like to make the RFPs inviting, such as <br />adding affordable housing, etc.