Vermillion hosts groundbreaking for city hall project
By Loretta Sorensen, Journal correspondent | Posted: Monday, September 17, 2007
VERMILLION, S.D. -- Groundbreaking ceremonies for Vermillion's new city hall will be held at 1 p.m. today at 25 Center St. The city is moving forward with the project now that the bid for the building has been awarded to Peska Construction of Sioux Falls.
The architect's estimate for the project was slightly more than Peska's bid. City Manager John Prescott said bid figures allow the city to add two features to the building without going over budget.
"There's been talk for a long time about a terrazzo floor in the lobby of the new building," Prescott said. "Since the contractor's bid was under what was projected, we were able to add the floor to the contract. We'll also have some additional vinyl wall covering in the building. Both of those features were things that could have been left out of the project if necessary."
The estimated date for completion of the project is March 2009. Work on the building site will begin next week. The old building will be demolished once some asbestos is removed. A house adjacent to the old building will also be demolished.
"We were able to sell two houses adjacent to the building and they were relocated," Prescott said.
The new building site leaves room for future expansion and parking areas on both sides. It will also offer numerous amenities not possible in the old structure.
"The old building was refitted to be a city hall," Prescott said. "The new one is designed to be a city hall. It will provide American Disabilities Act access for the public and will have an elevator that accesses all three floors. We will have some space that we can offer the community for meetings. It's possible that USD will use some of the space for government classes that they would like to hold in a government facility. That's been discussed."
City residents who come to city hall to pay bills will find a customer-friendly atmosphere.
"The way that area is designed, residents will find more privacy than in the past. They won't walk up to a long counter like they did before," Prescott said.
The new building will also meet fire codes that were not possible to upgrade in the old structure. While the new facility is designed to provide for all the needs of modern day government offices, Prescott noted the building design incorporates a number of historic architectural characteristics that will cause the building to blend with other historic structures downtown.
Palladian or arched windows and granite marble trim on the building's exterior are two of the design elements intended to preserve Vermillion's historic flavor.
"We believe the new building will enhance the community's overall image in regard to how we serve people and provide services," Prescott said.
The architect's estimate for the project was slightly more than Peska's bid. City Manager John Prescott said bid figures allow the city to add two features to the building without going over budget.
"There's been talk for a long time about a terrazzo floor in the lobby of the new building," Prescott said. "Since the contractor's bid was under what was projected, we were able to add the floor to the contract. We'll also have some additional vinyl wall covering in the building. Both of those features were things that could have been left out of the project if necessary."
The estimated date for completion of the project is March 2009. Work on the building site will begin next week. The old building will be demolished once some asbestos is removed. A house adjacent to the old building will also be demolished.
"We were able to sell two houses adjacent to the building and they were relocated," Prescott said.
The new building site leaves room for future expansion and parking areas on both sides. It will also offer numerous amenities not possible in the old structure.
"The old building was refitted to be a city hall," Prescott said. "The new one is designed to be a city hall. It will provide American Disabilities Act access for the public and will have an elevator that accesses all three floors. We will have some space that we can offer the community for meetings. It's possible that USD will use some of the space for government classes that they would like to hold in a government facility. That's been discussed."
City residents who come to city hall to pay bills will find a customer-friendly atmosphere.
"The way that area is designed, residents will find more privacy than in the past. They won't walk up to a long counter like they did before," Prescott said.
The new building will also meet fire codes that were not possible to upgrade in the old structure. While the new facility is designed to provide for all the needs of modern day government offices, Prescott noted the building design incorporates a number of historic architectural characteristics that will cause the building to blend with other historic structures downtown.
Palladian or arched windows and granite marble trim on the building's exterior are two of the design elements intended to preserve Vermillion's historic flavor.
"We believe the new building will enhance the community's overall image in regard to how we serve people and provide services," Prescott said.
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