Architect Estimates $23.5 Million To Renovate Existing Middle School
Principal Architect Bruce Poe, Modus Architecture provided renovation cost estimates for the Central Building, Helen M. Stack Building and existing BMS grounds at a community forum Thursday evening, Aug. 30. The least expensive option drawn by Poe does not expand the existing grounds so avoids property acquisition costs.
Poe’s estimated cost for the most minimal of the renovation options equals almost $23.5 million. This option estimates the cost of renovation to Central Building at just over $15 million; the cost of renovating H.M. Stack Building estimated at $7.8 million; cost of purchasing eight modular classrooms estimated at $640,000. This option eliminates the outdoor track and in Poe’s words, “There could be a parking issue.” Poe referred to this option as the “Minimalistic” option.
Poe offered estimates for grounds expansion and property acquisition costs, which pushed renovation cost estimates up to nearly $26 million (property value for land acquisition estimate based on Baker County assessed value). The options that include property acquisition provide for additional parking and full outdoor sports facilities track included. In drawing the options, Poe said that he had worked under the assumption that property acquisition and city street vacation were possible. Read More
Courthouse Tower Clock Restoration
Discussion Continues
By Brian Addison
By It has been 20 years since Baker citizens have heard the hourly toll of the Baker County Courthouse tower clock.
Baker County invited Chuck Roeser, President of the National Tower Clock Association last week to inspect the clock tower. Roeser is one of only two or three people in the country capable of restoring antique tower clocks to museum quality condition. Roeser assessed the condition of Baker County’s Howard tower clock and presented his findings to County Commission Chairman Fred Warner, Commissioner Carl Stiff, local jeweler Tabor Clarke, Irv and Ruth Townsend and several members of the Baker High School Associated Student Body government.
“Baker is very fortunate to have two nice clocks. Both clocks are fairly dirty, but in better shape than most,” Roeser said about the courthouse and city hall tower clocks. Roeser attributed the favorable condition to the lack of humidity and to proper maintenance and past restoration work. Roeser said, “Whoever did the hand-crank mechanism did it right. Whoever did it, did a great job.” Read More
Economic Development, Transient Lodging Tax Topics at Baker City/County Meeting
By Brian Addison
Officials from Baker City and Baker County met Aug. 29 to discuss three main topics on the agenda with an Economic Development Update, Building Department Update and Transient Lodging Tax Committee Update.
During discussion on the Transient Lodging Tax, Baker County Commissioner Fred Warner said that collections from the Transient Lodging Tax are expected at approximately $300,000 per year. A recent six percent increase in the local lodging industry could push collections to $400,000 this year, according to Warner.
Warner drew an organizational chart (see above) showing the County Commissioners and City Council as equal entities overseeing two branches of economic development organization: One branch is under the Transient Lodging Tax Committee and the organizational chart shows the Transient Lodging Tax Committee is overseen jointly by city and county officials. Warner indicated that the Transient Lodging Tax Committee received about $200,000 from the Transient Lodging Tax. The funds are distributed to the county’s marketing and development organizations Baker County Development Corporation and the Marketing Committee under the Transient Lodging Tax Committee. Read More
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