MOUNT VERNON – The City of Mount Vernon is inviting residents to take part in a public survey on the development and construction of new municipal facilities.
The survey is open to everyone, but is also an alternative method for residents to have their opinions heard if they’re unable to attend any of nine scheduled listening sessions on the new City buildings.
The online survey can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z62KP3P.
Economic and population growth in the City has expanded the demands on local government facilities, which has led to a re-evaluation of how this infrastructure can best be designed to serve the needs of the City.
In addition, the deteriorating structural integrity of the Plaza Building at 5 North Gay Street urgently necessitates the relocation of the Municipal Court, Police Department and other offices currently located there.
A City Hall Annex is planned for the properties to the immediate north of City Hall at 40 Public Square.
The City is looking at a centralized development, with the Municipal Court/Justice Center relocating to the Public Square, adjacent to City Hall and the Annex, as well as a distributed facility model, with the Court moving into the Annex and other City departments relocating to Heartland Commerce Park.
A new Police Department facility will be built on City property on Sychar Road.
“Our goal is for the new Municipal Courthouse and City Hall Annex to address the growing needs of Mount Vernon’s civic institutions while preserving the heritage of our community,” said Mayor Matthew Starr.
“We have design concepts that address the functional needs, but we welcome any input on how we can better align our designs with the priorities of the community.”
The upcoming listening sessions, which aim to present the City’s initial conceptual plans and gather public input to shape the project as it moves forward, will be held both in City Hall and other locations, with varied times and days of the week to accommodate attendees.
January sessions
The schedule is as follows:
(Design, location, construction and financing of Police Station)
Thursday, Jan. 9 – Council Chambers, City Hall, 40 Public Square, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 18 – Happy Bean Coffee Shop, 221 South Main Street, 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Thursday, Jan. 23 – Council Chambers, City Hall, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
February sessions
(Design, location, construction and financing of City Hall Annex)
Thursday, Feb. 6 – Council Chambers, City Hall, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 20 – Council Chambers, City Hall, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 28 – Happy Bean Coffee Shop, 9 to 10:30 a.m.
March sessions
(Design, location, construction and financing of Municipal Courthouse/Justice Center)
Thursday, March 6 – Council Chambers, City Hall, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 15 – Happy Bean Coffee Shop, 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Thursday, March 20 – Council Chambers, City Hall, 6-7:30 p.m.