The grant funds are in place for a new elevator for Yacolt’s Town Hall, but town officials want to know if residents want to add a clock tower or another enhancement to the structure.
The $244,000 federal Community Development Block Grant will allow the two-story town hall to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The federal portion is $194,600, while the local match is $49,400. The grant does not permit architectural enhancements to the elevator, said public works director Pete Roberts.
“We want to decide whether the elevator should showcase the town, maybe with a clock tower,” Roberts said. “We want to get input from the citizens.”
Roberts said he estimates that the cost of a clock tower would run from $6,500 to $10,000 and the town would have to pay the costs. The elevator will be built on the outside of the building, but access will be from the inside, he said.
The town council discussed enhancements to the elevator during a June 21 meeting. People may call the town hall at 686-3922, to express an opinion.
Johansson Architecture of Battle Ground has been selected to design the elevator. The design will depend on the town council’s decision about enhancements, Roberts said.
After the architectural firm has completed the design, the town council will accept bids for construction. Roberts has said he hopes the elevator can be installed within 90 days.
The town offices moved into the former 4,600 square-foot Masonic Hall on West Cushman Street in December after the town staff and a core of volunteers spent most of the year remodeling the structure to fit community needs.
After the elevator has been built, the town council will hold its regular meetings on the second floor, opening up a ground floor room and kitchen for community events.
A $109,000 CDBG grant awarded a year ago was used to improve the town park, upgrade a tennis court and add a half-court basketball area. The newly renovated park includes a splash park and a flat area where children may skateboard or skate.