The Village of Empire is seeking to acquire the former “Field Trip” souvenir building located next to Empire Pharmacy.
The Village Council is in the process of purchasing the building that has a price tag of $480,000.
The village is looking to get out of its 267-square foot building, located next to Empire Township Hall, and if the purchase of the field trip building happens, space will upgrade to a little over 900-square feet.
If purchased, that would equal $533-per-square foot. Even with the steep cost, Empire is prepared to pay in cash, according to Village of Empire President Sue Palmer.
“We currently have inadequate parking for our residents and visitors that will be resolved at the new site. Private meeting space is non-existent,” Palmer said in a statement to the board last Thursday. “The current office space will not be abandoned. Each of the current two buildings on the campus will be used by the DPW supervisor, DPW technician and DPW parttime workers.”
Palmer added that the village council did talk about every option available for extending, updating or adding additional floors to the current space.
“We are not able to expand the space due to property constraints. Moving the sophisticated DPW water system could be done, but at great expense. Adding an upper floor over the office space would take valuable lower-level floor space to comply with ADA standards ... A public meeting to discuss the options was not possible as a quick decision was needed. One of the reasons that government purchases of public property are held in a closed session is to keep a competitive edge and thwart a potential bidding war,” Palmer said.
Prior tax monies saved in the general fund allows the village to pay cash for the building, according to Palmer.
“This is a great investment for the Village,” Palmer said. “Let me be clear, this council is comprised of good caring people who want the best for the majority of the village. This move is all about providing better service to our residents,” Palmer said.
The purchase will effect this year’s 2024-25 budget from over $600,000 with a little over $100,000 remaining in the general fund.
The decision doesn’t come without an opposition.
Ed Peplinski had this to say in a letter to the board: “It is my opinion that the purchase of Field Trip is not a good business decision for the majority of Empire citizens, tax payers and voters. I am both sad and disappointed in the process used to make this purchase decision. How can the purchase of this property cost upward of a halfmillion, to have an office for two part-time village employees, possibly be a good decision?”
