QUINCY'S BEAUTIFUL CITY HALL

By BRENT ENGEL

City officials in Quincy have added a sparkling centerpiece to the community's downtown area.

And they've done it without raising property taxes, incurring the expense of new construction or adversely affecting two established businesses that were part of the project.

In July, City Hall offices were moved to the former American Savings Bank building and the former Freiburg Insurance Agency building at Eighth and Maine, in the heart of Quincy's central business district.

A formal dedication ceremony, complete with speakers, public tours and marching bands, will be held Saturday, August 15.

The new buildings, separated by an outdoor plaza and a visitors parking area are about six blocks from the former City Hall site at 507 Vermont, just north of the downtown area.

Jeff Jansen, the city's director of administrative services and deputy mayor, was the point man on the project for three years.

"The efficiency of the city government is going to be better," Jansen said. "I think the biggest thing the public will like is the accessibility. That's going to be a lot better than we've ever had before."

In addition to increased efficiency, the new facilities offer more space for city business and better security for the Police Department. The move also is an indication of the strong commitment city officials have to downtown revitalization efforts. Several businesses near the new facilities have renovated their buildings recently, and the city resurfaced Maine Street in front of the structures within the last several years.

The former City Hall, where offices had been located for more than 40 years, had only 24,000 square feet of space.

The new facilities at Eighth and Maine offer a total of 58,000 square feet. Fourteen of the city's 18 departments are affected by the move.

In November 1990, the city bought the bank building for $3.4 million and the insurance agency building for $40,000 — then spent $1.4 million to renovate them for city use.

American Savings Bank is renting the first floor of the former insurance agency building — renamed "City Hall Annex" — from the city over the next 20 years for $80,000 annually. The bank spent $400,000 of its own money to renovate the first floor of the annex and install a drive-up window.

The bulk of city offices will be housed in the former bank building, the larger of the two facilities. The second floor of the annex will house the Township Assessor's office and the Supervisor of General Assistance, while the third floor will be used for future expansion. The city's Traffic Department will be located in the basement of the Annex.

The city is funding this project through the refinancing of a 1984 sewer improvement general obligation bond, which will be paid off over 15 years using revenue from existing property taxes. The current tax levy will be reduced by over $65,000 a year, due to a lower interest rate from the original bond sale.

The city recently sold its former facility at 507 Vermont to Adams County government officials for $460,000. The county also had a great need for additional space and will embark on their own expansion project when they take ownership on August 15 — the same day the city dedicates its new facilities.

August 1992 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 5

The Police Department's need for more space and better security prompted city officials to begin looking at expansion or relocation in 1985. During the ensuing years, the city considered seven sites for relocation and two sites for new construction before choosing the Eighth and Maine location.

Officials also studied various funding proposals during this same period: Sell general obligation bonds and pay them off with existing property tax revenues; sell general obligation bonds and pay them off using funds from a tax increase; or borrow the money and repay the loan by diverting capital expenditure revenue normally used for street, bridge and sewer repairs to the relocation.

In the end, officials decided that selling bonds and repaying them without a tax increase was the most fair, cost-effective way to pay for the project.

Jansen kept the 14-member City Council and Mayor Verne Hagstrom up to date on all aspects of the project. Once the plans were finalized, work proceeded swiftly.

"For the scope of the project, everything went like clockwork," Jansen said. "We had a few snags, but nothing major."

The citizens of Quincy have every right to be proud of their beautiful new City Hall, a building that will serve the city's needs well into the 21st century. •

Page 6 / Illinois Municipal Review / August 1992