City Hall Again

September 24, 2008 Officials ramping up new Flagler Beach City Hall project By KENYA WOODARD Staff Writer FLAGLER BEACH -- The results of soil tests on a section of property that could be the location of the new Flagler Beach City Hall have returned, setting the stage for the next step in the project -- acquiring the land from Flagler County. City commissioners will hear a report on the proposed new city administration building at the corner of Flagler Avenue and State Road 100 at a meeting Thursday. City staff will sit down with the county's staff early next month to discuss Flagler Beach's acquisition of the property, said Interim City Manager Bernie Murphy. "Our plan is to have something before the Commission on Oct. 30," he said. The proposed site is perhaps the best location for the future City Hall because of its proximity to the police department and is a prime spot next to the State Road 100 bridge, said Commissioner John Feind. "I'm happy we're moving forward," he said. "Why wouldn't we put City Hall on one of the most valuable locations in the city?" The latest exploration into a new city hall began earlier this year when the commission ordered a study of the current facility's spatial needs. That study concluded that in addition to City Hall, the site at Flagler Avenue and State Road 100 also could house the Flagler Beach Historical Museum and a community center and that another option includes placing the buildings near the Moody Wickline Center farther south on Flagler Avenue. The current City Hall also could be demolished and replaced with a newer building. It's estimated it will cost $4 million to build a new City Hall. Deciding when and where to build a new City Hall, however, shouldn't be a decision for elected officials, Commissioner Ron Vath said. He thinks voters should choose. "I want to pull the plug on this until we go and have a referendum with the people," he said. "I don't see five people making this decision by themselves."