Carefree Truth

Issue #416, August 17, 2015

 

 

 

Mayor Les Peterson stated the Town has long been discussing and analyzing the options for a Council Chambers.  

A committee of Council members was formed, and Mayor Peterson credited Councilman Mike Farrar with "leading the charge".

 

 

 

Gary Neiss said the Town leases the space in which the Council Chambers is currently located, as well as the space next door.  Previously, the space next door housed the administrative offices now located at 8 Sundial Circle, after which the Carefree Court occupied it.  With the consolidation of the Carefree and Cave Creek Courts, the Carefree Court moved to Cave Creek, leaving the space next door  vacant.  The lease expires in July of 2016, which forced the exploration of alternative options, so the Town decided to investigate existing buildings in downtown Carefree.  Numerous buildings were evaluated to determine which carried the least long term costs to re-purpose into a Council Chambers.

 

 

 

The 2 story, 3750 square foot building at 33 Easy Street is located on the corner of Nonchalant and Easy Streets.  It was built in 2000, so is relatively new and in good repair.  The first floor is 2760 square feet with floor to ceiling windows framing Black Mountain, "a beautiful location".  There is a large shared parking lot in the back.  The second floor, which has a separate outside staircase access, is under lease to an accountant who wishes to continue leasing the space, so income is associated with the building. 

 

 

 

If approved, there would be 30 days to conduct a building inspection and title review.  At $407,400, 33 Easy Street is a very good value.  Financing is anticipated, and financial  packages being offered at low interest rates are being explored.  Early pay-off of the loan is also anticipated.

 

 

 

Mr. Farrar said the Town is "very fortunate" to have the rare opportunity to acquire a building of this quality at below replacement cost.  It sits on 1/4 acre, has plenty of parking, and is all masonry construction with "great bones".  It will serve the Town well.  The market is still low, and Mr. Farrar didn't think any building could be acquired a year from now at the current price being asked for this one.  "The timing couldn't be better." 

 

 

 

Mr. Neiss thanked Mr. Farrar for doing the due diligence.  "Without his leadership on this, I don't think we could have received the price we got for this building, so I do thank Mr. Farrar for his good efforts on this."  Mayor Peterson echoed Mr. Neiss' sentiments, also thanking Mr. Farrar for taking the leadership position on this project.  The Mayor said they looked at many buildings, and this high quality building is their first choice.  The first floor is 60-70% larger than the present Council Chambers, so could reasonably handle future attendance at the time of build-out.  He is thrilled by this opportunity.  Vice Mayor John Crane added that the building is not only beautiful, but it feels like a Town Council Chamber for Carefree.  "It really does the Town justice."

 

 

 

The Council voted unanimously to approve the purchase of the building at 33 Easy Street for use as the Town Council Chamber.

 

https://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/135725811/5f40b0cd73

 

 

Lyn Hitchon

 

 

 

Prepared by Carefree Truth

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