County hears more about commercial building

The Richland County commissioners and Richland County Fair Board discussed the design development of the proposed new commercial building during a meeting Monday.

Mike Stevenson, Stevenson Design, provided a detail-packed presentation to the parties. Total estimated cost of the building is $3.867 million. The cost includes a first-class catering kitchen which is estimated to cost $142,000.

The kitchen will feature a double stack convection oven, six-burner range and 36” griddle along with prep tables, dish station, a walk-in cooler and plenty of freezer space.

The building itself offers the possibility of three exhibit halls when separated with folding walls. Stevenson estimates that the entire building can hold 1,000 people and the middle exhibit hall could hold about 500 individuals. The commercial building is scheduled to have 80 10x12 stalls. The building would be ideal for such events as wedding receptions, Ag Days, smaller commercial shows and various types of banquets.

Geo-thermal water-to-air heat pumps will provide heating and cooling with five separate zones – one each for the exhibit spaces, a fourth for the support spaces and a fifth for the kitchen.

“The next step is you guys telling me to move on or make changes,” Stevenson said at the meeting. He stressed that he wanted a decision before construction designs are made.

Commissioners Mark Rehbein and Don Steppler appeared to indicate they felt the building was larger than anticipated, but felt the size might serve the county the best in the long run.

“We will look at it,” Rehbein said.

The architect’s timeframe has the design development approved on Monday and construction documents completed by Feb. 7, 2009. Bids will then be received by March 10, 2009. Construction is scheduled to start April 1, 2009. After construction stops in August for the fair, construction is expected to be completed Nov. 1, 2009.

Stevenson noted construction costs are lower right now. “They are going to want to start it now,” he said of contractors.

The project will be paid for strictly through oil severance funds.

editor@sidneyherald.com