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Shady Cove will purchase former church Wednesday Jun 13, 2012 at 12:01 AM Jun 13, 2012 at 2:20 AM SHADY COVE — With its 40th anniversary coming later this year and City Hall bursting at its seams, the city is about to give itself an early birthday present by purchasing the former Shady Cove Church of Christ building and turning it into an administrative center for city business. By BILL MILLER SHADY COVE — With its 40th anniversary coming later this year and City Hall bursting at its seams, the city is about to give itself an early birthday present by purchasing the former Shady Cove Church of Christ building and turning it into an administrative center for city business. Built in 1995 and located a few blocks north of City Hall at 110 Hudspeth Lane, the property includes a 4,300-square-foot building and nearly 1.5 acres of land. Church services ended there more than four years ago. City Administrator Danise Brakeman told the City Council Thursday that the Church of Christ had accepted the city's conditional offer of $150,000. The property had been listed for $219,000. Before voting, Mayor Ron Holthusen said language in the sales agreement related to inspections was not strong enough. "I'm suggesting that rather than 'favorable results,' the conditions should read 'results from building, plumbing and heating units reveal no material hazards or defects that cannot be mitigated by the seller.' And that 'results from the well flow test, pump inspection and water quality tests are sufficient for the intended use.' " Councilman Gary Hughes said he wanted to make sure that "whatever is in that building now must stay there — the office equipment, the benches and the kitchen appliances." Brakeman said that already was part of the agreement. After a brief discussion, the City Council unanimously agreed to the purchase. The purchase plan already is included in next fiscal year's proposed budget. The city will self-finance the purchase by borrowing from its sewer fund at a 1 percent interest rate and repay the bulk of the in-house loan from savings of about $1,000 in monthly rental fees. The city now stores its official records in three locations — the city shop that is leased at $900 a month and two other units that rent for $60 a month. Once the purchase is finalized, the records will be consolidated in the new building. Brakeman estimated inspections will cost an additional $1,000 and closing costs should be about $330. She said the city will have to pave a portion of the gravel parking lot for handicaped parking. As many as four spaces may be required, and each space will cost about $1,500. The large chapel in the new building, with pews still in place, will be used for City Council and other public meetings. It will more than double the seating capacity of the present council chamber. The building also has a kitchen, two bathrooms and four offices. The plan is to move all city records and equipment to the new administrative center, while most city services for residents will remain at the 35-year-old City Hall, built by local volunteers in 1977, five years after the city was incorporated in November 1972. Until that building was constructed, "city hall" was a rotating collection of storerooms, business offices, the Grange hall and even private homes. In addition to council chambers and administrative offices, the 3,000-square-foot City Hall houses a radio station, a Jackson County Sheriff's substation with sheriff's deputies who are under contract as the city's police department. "City Hall lacks enough room to accommodate all these people," Brakeman said. "It also lacks enough space for staff and frequently lacks a large enough council chamber to accommodate the public." Brakeman said if all conditions are met, she expects the city to take possession of the new building around July 7. "This is a great opportunity for the city," Holthusen said, "an opportunity that may not come around ever again." Writer Bill Miller lives in Shady Cove. Reach him at [email protected].