Walden's new Town Center and Town Hall now have a face.
Town officials approved TWH Architects' schematic designs for renovations to the McCoy property May 20. Mayor David Epperson and Alderman Peter Hetzler voted in favor of the plans; Vice Mayor Bill Trohanis was absent from the proceedings. The renovations are part of the process to transition the property to the new Town Center and Town Hall.
"We have tried to maintain the character of the main building and make it useful," Epperson said. "I think the town will benefit from doing something like this."
Plans include a two-way gravel drive, an outdoor terrace and an addition that includes a men's and women's restroom and kitchen area.
The former home's living room, library, screened-in porch and parlor will remain unchanged except for updates, while the dining room will be converted into the new business office and the existing kitchen into the town recorder's office.
"We're not doing anything with the upstairs at this time," said Epperson.
Plans have been drawn up for an assembly room to be added to the structure as well, but that construction won't happen right away, though Epperson said he hopes it happens in the near future.
He and Hetzler discussed the possibility of amending the FY 2014-2015 budget to allow for more money to be spent toward the project. That way, Epperson said, town officials would be able to move forward with the assembly room construction in the next year if they so choose.
On first reading of the budget May 13, town officials approved spending $579,700 out of the remaining $786,000 for the project for the next fiscal year. One million dollars was originally set aside for the overall project.
Epperson and Hetzler said they plan to discuss the project further at a second budget workshop May 27.
Until an assembly room is built, and after the existing Town Hall is sold, Epperson said town officials would have to find another place to meet.
Plans for the building still need to be further developed, he added. Once they are, town officials will prepare construction documents and put the job out for bid.