The Rockdale City Council, which has been mulling how to pay for a restoration of the old City Hall to its Victorian Era glory was presented an intriguing new strategy Monday.
Kara Clore, executive director of the Rockdale Municipal Development District (MDD) raised the possibility of funds from an Economic Development Administration grant might assure the restoration.
Clore said the grant, if applied for and received, would help create a “headquarters” for a program targeting economically distressed communities.
The city, and a citizens group, Save The Old City Hall (STOCH) have been trying to come up with funding solutions to restore the 123-year-old building which will be vacated when the police department moves out next year.
A so-far anonymous donor has pledged $1-million toward the project.
Dr. John M. Weed III, MDD president, said the headquarters would essentially be a classroom building but noted the outside would still be restored to its essential configuration and the inside would be large enough to include some of the offices which had been discussed as possible uses for the structure.
“You would still have it restored to its 1890s appearance and that’s the goal,” he said.
Clore said she has consulted the donor’s attorney about the strategy.
The council agreed to encourage the grant application but under the condition that the old city hall is to be the headquarters building.
SPLASH PAD—Council members discussed, but came to no consensus on the proposed Sumuel Park splash pad.
The city had received a $75,000 grant for the project and held a ribbon cutting last year but tabled any work after learning the city’s cost would be almost $218,000.
Mayor John King said he felt the money should be used on infrastructure work.
Councilman Nathan Bland, who was originally the only council member to vote against the project, said he now favored it, challenging the city to follow through on its action,
Council member Joyce Dalley said she has talked to some residents of the area who are against a splash pad.
The council took no action, pending gathering more information.
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