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RVCOG opts out of Central Point annex plan By SUSAN JAY CENTRAL POINT -- After leasing office space in City Hall for 19 years, the Rogue Valley Council of Governments plans to purchase a new home downtown. The move will give the government consulting agency more room, but it also will send the city back to the drawing board on a proposed 22,000-square-foot city hall annex. The city and RVCOG were in the middle of designing the proposed $5.5 million annex together, and RVCOG planned to lease space in the annex. RVCOG's decision surprised the city, said Jim Bennett, city administrator. But, "It's good either way for us," he said. "The most important thing is we're happy that RVCOG decided to stay in Central Point." The plan to lease annex space was too expensive for the agency, which supports counties and cities on projects involving planning, transportation and water issues, said Executive Director Michael Cavallaro. He said staff realized that leasing space in the new annex could cost two-thirds more than what the agency pays now. "We just thought it would be more appropriate and a more responsible use of public funds to purchase a building and turn that money into equity, and we also need more space right now," Cavallaro said. The agency plans to buy the 6,500-square-foot former Hard Body fitness center at 155 N. First St., across from the city's senior center, for $350,000. Cavallaro expects to close the deal by Oct. 15. RVCOG plans to spend $100,000 on remodeling. Jackson and Josephine counties and all incorporated cities in Jackson County pay a fee to support RVCOG, which has 33 employees. The agency studies, reports and coordinates projects covering planning, transportation and water issues. It also operates Senior and Disabled Services, which helps low-income residents. RVCOG's move opens up a lot of options for the city, whose employees are cramped and crowded, Bennett said. The city could go forward with the annex, build only a portion of it or just build new council chambers. It could remodel the 4,200-square-foot space RVCOG leases on the second floor of City Hall and spread out other city departments, which would give city staff plenty of room for the next several years, Bennett said. "No decisions have been made at this point on whether or not to give up on the annex idea," he said. A study session to discuss options with the City Council is planned for 7 p.m. Sept. 21 at City Hall. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA