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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend January 13, 2006 The new council chambers are already in use. The old council chambers have been converted into office and storage space for the police department. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli New City Hall nearly ready Central Point complex needs new roof before move-in day By BUFFY POLLOCK for the Mail Tribune CENTRAL POINT — With recent weather finishing off the old City Hall roof, city offices are spread thinly between new buildings and portables. Meanwhile, visitors to City Hall are trying to figure out where everyone went. "I think we’ve got five or six people a day who walk into the old building where the police department is, wondering ‘Where’s City Hall?’" said City Administrator Phil Messina. "People haven’t quite gotten the word out. We’ve got to get some signs up real soon." City departments, including finance, planning, public works and administration moved at the end of the year to the City Hall annex, near the new city library on Third Street. Advertisement The city’s parks and building departments are waiting for a new roof on the older portion of City Hall, which will be their new home. The combined work at the City Hall site totals some $3.6 million: $1.7 million from a voter-approved bond paid for a new city library branch, and $2 million more from the city paid for an adjoining annex to the old City Hall. With primary departments moved, building department and parks and recreation staffs are in temporary space for at least another month. The project was built by Todd Construction of Tualatin and designed by architects Skelton, Straus and Seibert of Medford — which designed the original City Hall in 1980 — to complement the existing building. Messina said recent rains had put a damper on remodeling efforts for the old portion of City Hall, and "finished off" its roof. The council was expected to review an emergency request for a new roof Thursday night. "Then we’ll just be waiting for a roof and then carpet to get everyone moved," Messina said. The former council chambers, housed downstairs in the older portion of City Hall, will be used by city police for office space and evidence storage. The three buildings are connected via two separate, enclosed "skywalks." Public Works Director Bob Pierce said the new facilities were needed. "Everything is nice and new," Pierce said. "We needed the extra space because we had really outgrown what we had." Messina said city officials hope to dedicate the new city offices in February. The new library was dedicated in September. Overall, he said city employees welcome the changes. "It just feels more like a city complex and everyone will have better access," Messina said. "We think it’s great." The city’s new address, to reflect its main address off Third Street, is 140 S. Third St. Buffy Pollock is a freelance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected]. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Distance Education Computer Security Cheap Website Hosting Discount Hotel Reservations dvd-r Online Pharmacy Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews High End Computers Online Casino News Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Student Loans Advertisement s