Harrisburg makes firm move to save ROE jobs

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Harrisburg has entered into arrangements with two firms for the start of renovation of the Greystone Building in the TIF area as a way of keeping the Regional Office of Education and its employees in Harrisburg.

Currently operating under a funding cut of $56,000 and with Regional Superintendent Larry Fillingim receiving no paychecks - both actions on order of the governor - the office had been looking for a way to cut expenses and retain staff.

Another county had offered space and in August, Harrisburg began pursuing the possibility of offering for new quarters for the regional staff and retention of about 28 jobs in Harrisburg.

The Greystone building, reclaimed by the city when a purchase agreement was in default several years ago, was picked by Mayor Eric Gregg as the most likely spot.

In a special Tuesday meeting of council, the body employed the architectural engineering firm of Walker and Associates to draw up plans and coordinate renovations of the building. H. E. Mitchell Construction was handed the general construction agreement. Both were authorized by council with expenditure caps.

Fillingim would like to make the move of his offices before Oct. 1.

With the timing being so close, he indicated he is hopeful his present landlord will allow an extension of another month so the city can ready the building for the start of the move.

General contractor Ron Mitchell said his greatest concern is the fast-track of the project. "Timing is an issue," he told council.

Lu Ann Walker Maddox told council initial exploration of the building's needs show a lot of work would have been needed soon even if the ROE move wasn't contemplated. The building has been empty for several years and the start of deterioration is evident.

She outlined a series of needed repairs, telling council, "You need to do these anyway."

To get a relatively rapid start on the revamping of the building, council approved a contract with Walker and Associates not to exceed $7,500.

The pact with Mitchell's firm to handle general contracting was set at an initial $25,000.

Yet to come will be plumbing and electrical contracts.

The expenditure authorizations on Tuesday are not expected to be the end of the cash that will flow into the structure.

Council was told that, conservatively, another $25,000 may be needed.

Fillingim was able to assure council the work to be done is not for naught.

"The ROE plans on staying there as long as we have an ROE," he told the city.

He said he has re-applied for several grants and he regards the move to the Greystone Building as a long-term project.

At the same time, there was some limitation on the guarantee council will receive.

Fillingim said should the city decide to lease the building to his office, he would not want a lease to extend past his current term of office, which is for another four years.

"I don't really want to tie another superintendent down," he said.

Having no lease was not disturbing to the council, which appeared most interested in retaining the jobs of the ROE in Harrisburg.

"We are hedging our bets, but we think we are holding a good hand," Gregg said.

"If we get this building, we won't have to lay people off," Fillingim said.