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Goldstein Building structurally sound but needs major mechanical, elevator and roof work, mayor and consultant say
Summary
Committee heard a building assessment and discussion of repurposing the Goldstein Building for cultural arts and event space while relocating administrative staff because HVAC, elevator and roof systems are deteriorating.
Mayor Carr and facilities staff presented the Goldstein Building as an urgent facilities problem and asked the committee to consider relocation of 35–40 employees and a long‑term reuse plan.
Consultant Bob Warren told the committee the building is "structurally sound" and praised earlier roof work, but said mechanical, elevator and electrical systems show age. "It's a 30 years old. So it's got a lot of service life left in her. The mechanical and electrical systems notwithstanding," Warren said, detailing issues with original mortar, brick permeability and HVAC impacts on internal humidity.
Context: Mayor Carr said the Goldstein Building houses planning and engineering, elections and building and codes, and that a failing HVAC system (the mayor estimated replacement at "probably about a million dollars") and an elevator with limited ADA access are creating an escalating operational risk if not addressed. Mayor Carr asked the committee to consider options including relocating current departments, renovating Goldstein, or — as he proposed — repurposing the lower floor for cultural arts and history and using upper floors for county event space.
Cost and scope estimates: The mayor supplied range estimates (today’s dollars): renovating or replacing administrative space $10 million–$12 million; repurposing Goldstein for cultural arts and event space $5 million–$7 million. He cautioned estimates do not include inflation and are preliminary.
Decision posture: The committee did not vote on disposition or funding. Commissioners emphasized safety and continuity of services; Chairman McAdoo asked that safety risk be explicitly flagged on the capital checklist.
Ending: Mayor Carr and staff proposed to bring more detailed options and cost estimates to future meetings after merging capital lists and establishing prioritization weights for safety, statutory compliance and financial impact.
