Golden City Council voted to spend $1.7 million to buy a new city building , adding needed city office space.
The 6,000-square-foot building at 1000 10th St. sits across the street from Golden Library and City Hall and is occupied by Oswego Creative, a local video production company.
“Having it catty-corner across the street we believe would be an ideal location,” said Steve Glueck, community and economic development director.
City staff looked for 2,000 square feet of additional office space to rent in the fall after failing to find any viable property for sale. But no one looked across the street at the building because it lacked a “For Sale” sign. Then the property’s broker approached city staff in December.
“City staff did look in a few permanent places, which were expensive and not convenient as an annex for residents, customers and the city for operations,” Glueck said.
Since as early as 2012, the city has been looking for more space. The 2017 budget identified money to study city office space, with the plan to budget $2.3 million to add more — likely through a building expansion — in 2021 using sales and use taxes.
Glueck said general fund reserves will be used to purchase the building at 1000 10th St.
At the meeting, city manager Jason Slowinski made the case for more space for city staff with a presentation showing some of the offices at City Hall at 911 10th St., which houses the offices of the city manager, city clerk, finance department, human resources and communications staff in one half of the building, with the police department offices on the other side.
On the administrative side of the building, four people share an 18-by-8 foot space while eight finance and auditing staff members share an open space that’s also used for meetings, Slowinski said.
“There are some critical areas in there that operate with a complete lack of privacy,” Slowinski said, adding that other employees go offsite if they need space for more concentration.
After approving the resolution, buying the building is contingent on appraising the property value, securing the title and inspecting the building.
“Location, location, location is really important — being across the street from City Hall in this case,” said City Councilman Casey Brown. “I still think itap a wise way to use those funds as opposed to popping the top of City Hall or doing other things that could be much more expensive.”
Brown noted the concerns he and other council members heard from community members who questioned making a major purchase decision without public input.
City Attorney Dave Williamson said, city rules allow contract negotiations, including real estate purchases, to go into executive session as this one did.
“There are several categories that allow city council to go into private session, executive session,” Williamson said. “One of those is to instruct contract negotiators with respect to the purchase of real estate property.”
The city hopes to close on the property by the end of March.
