Architects present feasibility plan for 20 South Main; roof leak, code and budget emerge as key questions

Mount Clemens commissioners on Tuesday reviewed a feasibility assessment for converting 20 South Main into a combined city hall, fire station and sheriff substation, and heard that an active roof leak and other maintenance issues will need near-term attention if the city proceeds.

David Gasson of Partners in Architecture presented the consultant team's findings, outlining programmatic needs, site circulation and floor plans that would let the city consolidate administrative functions while adding fire apparatus bays and a sheriff area. Gasson said the firm estimated construction costs at about $10,550,000 and a total project cost (including furniture, contingencies and soft costs) of roughly $12,000,009.50.

Why it matters: The proposal would replace or reconfigure existing municipal facilities and shift several operations downtown; it also creates immediate budget and schedule decisions for the commission because the building has active interior damage and the purchase due-diligence window has limited time.

Presentation highlights: Nate Springholz, the project manager from Partners in Architecture, told the commission the most urgent physical problem is the roof. "There's already an…