By Andy Foltz
NKyTribune Contributor
After near nearly a year working out of temporary offices on Grandview Avenue, Fort Mitchell city employees have returned to work at the newly renovated city building on Dixie Highway.
The project, which cost approximately $3.5 million, was deemed complete last week, and so the move back across town was completed for the city’s roughly 50 employees.
“There are still some finishing touches to do,” said Sharmili Reddy, Fort Mitchell’s city administrator. “The past building served the purpose, but this one will be nicer for the public, and will hold more people too.”
Indeed, the building was expanded by 5,000 square feet, and additional bays were added for emergency vehicles. Some other changes to the city building include: additional offices for the police department, along with a training room; a new entrance for Public Works employees; an expanded city council chamber with an adjacent meeting room; and a new entryway into the building.
At the moment, the landscaping around the flagpole still needs to be completed, as well as around the marquee on the other side of the building. The landscaping around the front of the building is complete, including a new Wall of Honor dedicated to those folks who have given great service to the city over the past 105 years.
“We have a wonderful beautification committee that takes care of that,” said Reddy. “We want it to look nice because this on a major thoroughfare and we want it to reflect well on the city.”
Reddy, who took her position last month, said the city had planned and budgeted for the renovation project, like they do for all projects of this scale.
“We have a capital replacement plan,” she said. “We save up for what it coming, so when we have to spend money we have it. We’re not taking on debt to make things work.”
In addition to the city offices, the home adjacent to the city building was recently demolished. Reddy said it is the possible site of a pocket park.
“The details are still being worked out,” she said. “It would be nice, because we have a lot of families in this area.”
Great to now read the new NKy Tribune. Ft. Mitchell (and Northern Ky): near and dear to my heart.
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