Town commissioners and staff had to relocate to the town library on Hypoluxo Island for their Oct. 27 meeting because of king tide flooding on A1A. Emily Rose Finn/The Coastal Star
By Emily Rose Finn
Manalapan voters could decide as soon as March whether the town should borrow money to build a new Town Hall and police station, with draft ballot language due to be reviewed by town commissioners in December, Town Manager Eric Marmer said.
Commissioners at their Oct. 27 meeting also took up an appraisal of the current Town Hall property, at 600 S. Ocean Blvd., by appraiser Marc Bertrand, whom the town hired to guide decisions about the site. The town has said it may sell the property to help pay for the new building.
That option is complicated by Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, which “has indicated their desire to remain at the current location,” according to a staff memo. In September, Marmer told commissioners the county would pay to build a new facility there.
A single building design, with three exterior finish options, was presented to the commission. Rendering provided
The new building is planned for the former bank property the town acquired at Plaza del Mar, 131 S. Ocean Blvd. A circuit judge approved the town’s taking of the property through eminent domain in June, and the town deposited $2.85 million with the court. A jury could still set a different final price.
A site plan by Currie Sowards Aguila Architects shows a two-story Town Hall and police station of about 15,000 square feet, larger than the 10,000 square feet the architects estimated last year and nearly three times the size of the current 5,300-square-foot Town Hall. The plan includes a secure parking lot.
On Sept. 28, architect Jess Sowards presented three architectural styles for the building, including a “Coastal Vernacular” design. Commissioners agreed on those as contenders, and Commissioner David Knobel said signage should be “front and center” on whichever design is chosen.
Marmer said the architects will now rank those three and additional options and return with a top choice. A rendering of that design would go on informational pamphlets for residents.
Commissioners urged the town to begin private fundraising soon; a resident pledged $1 million toward the project last year, The Coastal Star reported.
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