Municipal Complex Plans Presented

Moorestown Town Council got a first look at the proposed municipal complex at Monday night’s meeting.

The complex, which the Municipal Task Force is recommending be done in two phases, would include a new library, recreation center, police station, municipal court and administrative offices. The total gross cost of the project is $19.3 million. However, there is the possibility of $1.2 million from insurance to be used and $250,000 from the Friends of the Library, which would lower the net cost to approximately $17.9 million.

“The task force is recommending all functions remain in town,” said Rick Ragan of Ragan Design Group.

According to the proposal, the library and recreation center would be one building with approximately 39,000 square feet. The rec center would house a high school regulation basketball court, weight room and community room. The Department of Parks and Recreation offices would also be located in the building, which would be 17,000 square feet.

The library would be 22,000 square feet, about 3,000 less than the current facility. The Library Board of Trustees has requested the new facility be 26,000 square feet.

If approved, the first phase of the project would start Aug. 1, 2012, and take approximately 20 months to complete. The current library and rec center would remain open during construction.

The former Town Hall building is slated to be demolished at a cost of $150,000. The cost of demolishing the library and Church Street Rec Center is approximately $200,000.

The cost for Phase I of the project would be approximately $11 million.

Phase II would be a building to house the township’s administrative offices, a municipal court and the police station. The second building would be approximately 27,000 square feet: 13,500 for administrative offices, 3,500 for municipal court and 10,000 for the police station.

The cost for Phase II is approximately $6.8 million. Construction on Phase II would begin after the completion of Phase I and would take approximately 20 months.

The task force estimated the project would cost about $220 per square foot. That cost would include fixtures, moving expenses, AV system, security and demolition.

The task force looked at 20 different scenarios for the municipal complex–onsite, offsite and a combination of both before settling on keeping town functions in town center.

They also looked at the cost of renovating the buildings and renting space versus building new.

“It’s actually cheaper to build than to renovate,” task force member Robert Hill said.

The current estimates would mean a yearly tax increase of $147 per average assessed home. The current average assessed home in Moorestown is $533,800.

The new buildings would also offer energy cost savings. According to Ragan there would be a 40 percent savings in electricity costs and 30 percent savings in gas costs.

“I want to express my appreciation for the incredible work that you’ve done,” Mayor John Button said. “It was very professionally done and a very productive process for us.

“We have a lot to absorb and I think we’re going to do that and come back at our next meeting and revisit this.”

Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting is May 2.