A submitted perspectives piece by Kerry Abbott
The renovation of the former Harrisonburg Municipal Building is due to cost $24 million, and provide masses of space this small town does not need for its municipality. The cost of simply reconstructing the atrium that links the two buildings is calculated at over $5 million–an excessive sum for such idle space. There are better, more cost-effective options, at half the price of the current plan. Selling municipal bonds to fund the project in this volatile financial market is not a debt burden the city needs.
Moreover, the city acknowledges that it does not now need the new space– suggesting that the municipal staff can grow into it over coming years.
This is one of the worst indicators of waste in public management. In an era of AI, where administrative functions are streamlined, there is no imaginable way the city could double its current staff to fill the new building. That means the space, and the expenditure will be wasted.
There is no shortage of space in the municipal building, They may need to shift usage, so that offices that are full can expand into spaces that are underutilized, but each office does not need its own floor in a new building.
So what might the renovated old municipal building be used for? The county courthouse, which is the main architectural feature of downtown, needs space, and has mentioned adding wings to that historic building. That sounds disruptive and expensive
Why bother, when the city can lease space in the old municipal building to other agencies that serve the common good. Surely the city and county can agree on a lease, share the cost of the renovation, and avoid defacing Court Square with a modern annex
Current plans may be finalized later this month, but a delay would be worthwhile, as the idea of negotiating with the county for court space is not something that was considered.
Leasing the renovated old municipal building to another public service should be agreed at the planning stage when their needs can be accommodated.
In any event, the aim should be to opt for the $10 million renovation plan, instead of the $24 million one, and that requires a revision–in design, cost and function.
This Functional Design concept assures maximal use of space and most efficient cost, and should be the foundational idea behind local government decision making.
Kerry Abbott is a development strategist and evaluator of projects for twelve international agencies in 24 countries.She focuses on fragile and complex settings–mostly conflict regions and disaster zones–and helps divided societies find solutions.
