Public commenter urges county to reconsider ‘build new’ approach for Center of Government project

Amanda Kirschgeschner, a member of the public, urged the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee to pause a new Center of Government ground‑breaking until the county fully evaluates alternatives including reuse of vacant buildings, leased space and decentralized office locations. "We absolutely cannot break ground before assessing what we actually have available as options," Kirschgeschner told the committee during the public‑comment period. She said the county survey required respondents to select one of three new‑building designs and did not permit voters to recommend alternatives or say "none of the above." Kirschgeschner recommended the county examine existing vacancies in the city, citing the Masonic Temple on Kyuga Street and the town’s reuse of its old post office as examples of adaptive reuse. Kirschgeschner also urged the committee to factor carbon footprint and sustainability into its decision and to consider operational impacts of co‑locating programs. She said past consolidations — specifically combining probation and social services in one building — had produced "an unsavory environment" for clients and staff and argued decentralizing some offices, and avoiding floodplain locations, should be considered. Committee members thanked Kirschgeschner and indicated downtown facilities discussions would continue with the downtown facilities committee; no action resulted from the public comment. Ending Kirschgeschner asked the county to update its public survey to allow "none of the above" responses and to present alternatives before proceeding with design or ground‑breaking.