News

Special meeting in Belmont held to discuss Allegany County space needs

Posted September 11, 2007 11:00 pm

Tony Washer

All of the Allegany County legislators were invited to a special presentation at the court facilities and county space needs committee meeting Monday in which representatives from LaBella Associates gave further explanation on three county courthouse options.

William Hall, R-Alfred, chairman of the court facilities committee, began the meeting by giving an overview of where legislators stand on the decision to choose how to go about complying with the Office of Court Administration's (OCA) demands with regards to the county courthouse building. Hall stated that in September 2006, LaBella submitted three separate plans as options that county legislators could choose from.

In March 2007, legislators reviewed not only cost of the new courthouse system, but how the public would access the new campus, sufficient space for the courts and how circulation would work in both the county office building and courthouse.

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"I think we've learned a great deal in order to comply with OCA," Hall said.

Mark Kukuvka and Mark Tayrien, representatives from LaBella, gave a detailed powerpoint display on how the two buildings would look if the county were to go with one of the three options LaBella has suggested. Legislators looked at possible floor plans of a renovation proposal, an addition proposal and what the layout may look like with the building of an entirely new courthouse.

Recently, the court facilities committee voted to go with the addition proposal, an estimated cost of $24.2 million. According to LaBella, the renovation proposal was estimated at $20.4 million and it would cost an estimated $26.03 million to fund a new courthouse.

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Kukuvka stated that LaBella attempted to look at what would happen when different departments and agencies at the courthouse and county office building saying that the numbers and layouts they came up with were a "fair assessment to all departments and agencies."

"If nothing else, it was important for us to assign numbers so we as consultants, are not swaying in the decision," Kukuvka added. "Although OCA has not approved the three solutions, they have been involved and the indication is that with further refinement (of each proposal) each one is approvable."

Norman Ungermann, R-Cuba, addressed the issue of parking that would be eliminated during the possible addition to the current courthouse building.

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"I would suggest that people who don't think parking is important, to park and walk from the American Legion," Ungermann said.

The LaBella representatives stressed that if the county were to go with the less expensive renovation type project, that it would be the "bare bones" minimum and that it would allow the county little flexibility in the future in order to comply with possible future demands.

Ronald Truax, R-Cuba, voiced his concern and said the renovation project, in his opinion, would actually give the county more flexibility because of the increased office space at the proposed Department of Social Services building. Truax said he was not convinced the addition project was the way to go.

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Ungermann also voiced his concern about moving forward with the addition project.

"What the law says is that the OCA cannot make us pay for something we cannot afford," Ungermann said. "There's 20,000 60-plus-year-olds (in Allegany County). How many are on fixed incomes? I think you really have to consider that."

Ungermann, speaking on his recent trip to New York City to meet with OCA engineers, said he saw things differently.

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"The main problems I saw is that they (OCA) don't like an old office building," Ungermann said.

At recent committee and board meetings, Ungermann has said he thinks the best direction to go would be to make the courthouse more aesthetically appealing.

Karl Kruger, R-Friendship, pointed out the OCA has changed their regulations and will more than likely do so in the future.

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"In 1976, this complex was built, and it took just 14 years for the OCA to say they wanted more space," Kruger said. "They planned, thinking this was going to last 200 years. Plan all you want, somebody at some level, is going to have a problem with it."

Kruger did not entirely dismiss the idea of the addition project saying, "Maybe addition is the way to go, but out back might not be the place to do it." His statements were made after questions were raised about the embankment that is located out back of the courthouse, to which other legislators were concerned as well.

Timothy O'Grady, R-Wellsville, urged legislators that picking an option was in the best interest of the county.

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"I think to get the ball rolling, we need to pick a project and start heading down that path," O'Grady said, adding that he did not want the legislature to be back in 20 years having to make the same decision about the courthouse.

"At some point, New York state counties have to start taking a stand and say no more unfunded mandates," Kruger said about the OCA's demands.

Addressing the financial aspect of the project, Ungermann said, "The jail was $23.7 million, that's eight percent of the budget.

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"We're now going to add another eight percent on top of the estimated 19 percent tax increase? How many of our kids are going to be here to pay for this 25 years down the road?" Ungermann said.

The next court facilities meeting will take place 3 p.m. today.

The full board meeting took place before the court facilities meeting, but took about 20 minutes to complete. Curtis Crandall, R-Caneadea, chairman of the full board of legislators, noted that it was the "first time in recent years that there haven't been any resolutions before this board."

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Crandall did make two appointments at the meeting. David Pullen, R-Fillmore, was appointed to the Law Library board of trustees and Michael Doyle was appointed to the Friendship Empire Zone administrative board.

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