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Council debates City Hall sale and lease-back as heating and consolidation concerns mount
Summary
Council members discussed options for City Hall, including selling the building and leasing back space, citing high heating costs, evidence storage needs and the police department's space requirements; no formal action was taken.
Williamsport City Council spent part of its Oct. 2 meeting discussing options for City Hall amid concern about rising operating costs and the logistical challenge of consolidating city functions.
Councilman Kevin Mackey urged action, saying the city’s financial management study indicates the building should not be retained. “We need to make a decision on City Hall sooner rather than later,” he said, noting that leasing back a portion of a sold building had been raised as a possible path.
Council members and staff discussed two linked issues: finding a consolidated, economical workspace for city functions and addressing obligations tied to the police department’s space needs. Officials said one option is to market the building and include a lease-back provision so the city could remain temporarily while renovations or relocations proceed. Staff reported preliminary outreach to the county and potential leasing options but said the police evidence storage and gym currently located in City Hall impose minimum temperature and space requirements.
Council discussed heating costs and occupancy. A council member cited an approximate $20,000 heating cost for the building this season and estimated the building’s total footprint at about 40,000 square feet; speakers noted police areas and evidence storage require higher temperature settings (about 65 degrees) and occupy a nontrivial portion of the facility. The council president and other members recommended pursuing an updated request for proposals (RFP) to test market interest for sale and lease-back options and to clarify federal constraints for other City-owned properties such as train/transit buildings (the FTA is involved in disposition discussions).
No formal motion or vote was recorded; council members asked staff to continue evaluating sale-and-lease-back options, coordinate with the Federal Transit Administration about train/transit property constraints, and prepare more detailed cost and timing estimates for council review.
