ST. PAUL – A steel framed shop that came with a property purchased by the Town of St. Paul at 6005-50th Ave., will be moved to the golf course maintenance yard, after no bids were received from the public to purchase the building.
The Town acquired the property in order to create a storm-water and wetland area. The demolition and relocation of several other assets from the site were required on the property.
During the Aug. 14 Town of St. Paul council meeting, CAO Steven Jeffery said the steel framed shop was advertised to the public for purchase. Zero bids were received.
“The building still holds value and is a candidate to be relocated and repurposed as a cold storage shop,” said Jeffery. Administration recommended the building remain under the Town’s ownership and relocated to the golf course maintenance yard.
He added the existing cold storage space at the maintenance yard met its life expectancy and due to the style of the building it is “open to the elements as well as easy access for rodents.”
“A secondary shed/tool shop at the maintenance yard has actually far surpassed its usable life and needs to be scheduled for demolition in the very near future. After speaking with the Parks and Recreation director as well as the greens-keeper, it is expected that this size of shop would provide the necessary equipment and tool storage required for this department allowing the Town to demolish the two older structures,” explained Jeffery.
The cost to move the structure has been quoted at $20,000, according to Jeffery, along with additional costs to permanently set up the structure. Its primary function would be to provide covered storage of golf course equipment, so it can remain with a gravel base. Administration estimates the overall project to cost $40,000.
As the project is not budgeted for 2023, the funding would be taken from the Town’s accumulated surplus.
Coun. Gary Ward motioned to approve the relocation of the building with a budget of $40,000.
Coun. Brad Eamon asked what the life expectancy of the building once it’s relocated would be.
Although the building is over 40 years old, it is structurally a steel frame, and “I do think it’s going to serve its purpose for quite some time,” responded Jeffery.
Mayor Maureen Miller asked if it would be possible to do the relocation, but earmark $40,000 for next year when council is doing its allocations for 2024, "to make sure that we keep the accumulated surplus going."
Coun. Ron Boisvert said $40,000 could also be sent to reserves when doing the budget next year.
Jeffery said it is also possible to do the $20,000 relocation this year but complete the second half of the project next year for the other $20,000, which is the framing part. He also agreed with Boisvert, in that $40,000 could be allocated to reserves for next year’s budget to maintain the accumulated surplus.
