At Monday evening’s Eureka Springs city council meeting, Mayor Butch Berry presented two floor plans he developed for locations that could be the site of city government meetings in the future. One was the downtown fire station across the street from the courthouse, the other a city-owned building at 25 Norris St. directly across from Eureka Springs Hospital.
Berry said the Norris site, currently the office of Dr. Charles Beard, could be remodeled to seat council, the mayor, the city attorney and the city clerk/treasurer in front of a group of maybe 40. There would also be space on one side of the upstairs for two offices and a workspace, as well as a usable basement under half the floor space. He estimated a $25,000 cost for demolition, renovation, and relocating live cable broadcasts.
Berry also mentioned an alternative, that the hospital was interested in renting the entire Norris space, which could mean revenue of maybe $1200 per month for the city.
He said renovating the downtown fire station might cost $20,000, and result would be a narrow alignment similar to what they have now except an group of at least 24 would be in the same room. Moving to the fire station would save the expense of relocating video equipment for live broadcasts, but the building would need public bathrooms.
Alderman David Mitchell noticed the fire station still would not allow citizens to face council, but parking at the Norris site would be tight.
Alderman Terry McClung said they could squeeze more seating into the fire station, but the Norris site has additional office space, which would relieve some of the pressure on city hall.
“Norris has so much potential,” McClung observed, “more than just $1200 per month rent.”
Berry mentioned the fire station would still house a fire truck on one side of the floor that could be moved out if necessary.
Alderman Mickey Schneider reminded council they are doing this for the citizens, not for themselves. She said the downtown fire station with plenty of parking across the street would better accommodate citizens.
Alderman Bob Thomas said he wanted to tour both sites, and alderman Peg Adamson agreed about touring, but added she saw the fire station as the same narrow space they have now and preferred the opportunity to open up the meeting space a bit.
Aldermen agreed to tour both sites prior to the Sept. 11 meeting beginning at 4 p.m. at 25 Norris.