BY JIMMY SHOCKLEY, Eastern Shore Post —
The town of Cape Charles is planning the construction of a new town hall to replace the current building located at 2 Plum St.
“It’s completely out of date,” said Mayor Adam Charney of the existing building.
The current town hall building was constructed around 1930 and would need extensive repairs and renovations to continue serving as the town hall, he said.
Charney cited structural problems, the need for Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility, and lack of space to expand as reasons for leaving the old building.
Replacing the crowded town hall has been discussed for upwards of five years, he said.
Initially, the town was considering four options for the location of the new town hall – Cassatt Parkway, the site of the former Meatland on Randolph Avenue, a town-owned site at the intersection of Fig Street and Randolph Avenue, and Trinity United Methodist Church social building.
The town council decided at a May 27 meeting to lease space from Trinity United Methodist Church to be used for administrative functions of the town, according to Rick Keuroglian, town manager.
The town council also directed staff to begin research into constructing a new building on town-owned parcels at Randolph and Fig, said Keuroglian.
The seven town-owned parcels at the intersection of Fig and Randolph total 0.9 acres.
The parcel is just west of the large golf cart sales and rental business.
The town initially expressed interest in other sites with more space to expand, like the Cassatt Parkway and former Meatland locations, but the chosen site will be much less expensive for the town to construct while also being walkable from in town.
According to documents given to town council, concerns with construction at the corner of Fig and Randolph include having a congested look at the beginning of the historic district and lack of space compared to other initial site candidates.
The town estimates that building at the intersection of Fig and Randolph would cost about $7.5 million.
The town will also need to modify a site plan for the new municipal building that was created for the Cassatt Parkway location in order for it to work for the new location.
Keuroglian said they estimate it will take two-and-a-half to three years to finalize the project and construct the new town hall.
“It’s definitely time for a new town hall in Cape Charles,” said Charney.
