Old Bassett decommissioning: auction proceeds, security concerns and six-figure utility estimates

Facilities staff told the committee they have conducted an auction and recaptured roughly $15,000 while removing much of the contents of Old Bassett. A facilities manager has been assigned to oversee remaining pickups and a final reassessment; items of value will be donated or redistributed once decommissioning is complete.

Staff presented early utility and carrying-cost figures for the new Bassett and Old Bassett. For the new facility, staff said cooling loads drove electric bills of about $20,000 per month and natural gas bills were roughly $2,000 per month (gas used mainly for hot water); staff gave a rough annual utilities projection of about $600,000, noting the estimate is based on only two months of bills. By contrast, the rolling 12-month utility total for Old Bassett was about $426,000.

The committee heard multiple operational concerns: repeated break-ins and attempted entry at Old Bassett, patrols coordinated with the police department, existing alarm and camera costs, and the need to staff custodial/security presence while the district retains the property. Facilities staff said carrying costs (utilities, security, custodial) and the building—s deteriorating mechanical and environmental systems make holding the property expensive.

Staff cited large capital estimates from the facilities condition assessment: a total investment need of about $82,400,000 for Bassett and associated campus work (the discussion named $16,000,000 for mechanical upgrades and significant environmental costs). Given those figures and the operating burden, staff said their emerging recommendation may be to transfer the building to the city or a third party better equipped to secure and remediate the property. The committee requested a fuller presentation of comparative options and costs at the next facilities meeting.