The Cottonwood City Council discussed whether to complete the Rough Cut building as a future city hall and Cottonwood Municipal Center or continue the process of selling it during a work session on Dec. 10, with a vote on those two options having been scheduled for the council’s Dec. 17 meeting, after press time.
The city purchased the building and adjacent parcels of land located at 635 N Main St., in 2011 for $2.95 million, and the property was appraised at $3.85 million in October; the previous council directed staff to begin the process of selling the building in September.
Following the Nov. 5 election and the swearing in of the new council members on Nov. 19, the newly-seated council directed city staff to halt the bidding process and schedule a work session to discuss alternative options and space needs.
A city space study stated the city needs 28,000 square feet of office space; the Rough Cut building could be completed with 50,000 square feet.
Public Works Director David Hausaman, answering questions from the Nov. 25 work session, said in regard to council’s concerns over parking that the building would require 167 parking spaces, while the existing lot contains 175 spaces. Additional spaces at the youth complex and the Water Reclamation Facility could increase that to a total possible number of 241.
“We need to build something that we can grow into,” Councilman Chris Dowell said, adding that he was concerned that a building elsewhere could be outgrown, and that he would like to bring everything into one site that would also allow for future growth.
Mayor Ann Shaw said that a 50,000- square-foot building sounded enormous, but the city could possibly find uses for it that council and staff have not thought of yet, while Councilwoman Felicia Coates said she was concerned about the additional overhead costs that the city would incur with such a large space, such as heating and cooling. Councilman Bob Marks had concerns about completing a building that had been dormant for 20 years, as did Councilwoman Joy Mosley, who said that remodeling often takes twice as long and twice as much money. Mosley stated that she did not support using the Rough Cut building and was worried about pedestrian safety at the location due to the new roundabout.
Coates said she would be in favor of continuing to evaluate the Rough Cut option but would like to see other options for a property at 1071 Riverfront Road for a new building.
Dowell noted that a new city hall would likely going to cost $24 million either way, so the choice was between wanting something new or something old for the same price.
Utilities Director and interim City Manager Tom Whitmer said that the city has already invested over $3 million in the purchase of the property.
“My top priority is to build a new building,” Vice Mayor Debbie Wilden said.
“I don’t want Rough Cut, plain and flat out,” Councilman Stephen DeWillis said. He suggested transferring a number of unused solar panels from the Water Reclamation Facility to a new building to help offset its costs.
Shaw gave a presentation on her vision for some of the city’s buildings, including the Water Reclamation Facility, during which she suggested making the main room into a water science center and involving Friends of the Verde River, the United States Forest Service and local school districts to host field trips. She suggested water demonstration elements could be provided by the Verde Valley Science Vortex with displays created by local teachers and students. She also suggested picnic tables could be placed under the existing solar panels for shade, providing a place for students to lunch outside after doing a river walk.
She argued in favor of completing the Rough Cut building because the city already owns it, its location on Main Street makes it easily accessible to those seeking services and it has room for current and future needs. She advised caution in selling the building given limited options elsewhere on which to build.
