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NEW CUMBERLAND -- New Cumberland Council is continuing its preparations for a new city building, while looking at the need for a second auction to sell its current municipal offices.
As part of its meeting Monday, council approved a bid work on the interior of what will be the future city building, located at 200 North River Ave., at a cost of $153,740.
"There are two bids in here," Mayor Will White explained.
City Clerk Tammy Jenkins noted the two bids had been close, but aspects from each had been removed, with one including brick work and the other payment for the city's business and occupation tax.
Jenkins reported she had been reviewing the available funds in the city's special projects and rainy day accounts to pay for the needed work.
"We'll have to use money from both of those accounts and the general fund," she said.
She also noted the soffit and fascia work on the building had been completed recently, and interior framing would be needed before the city can get a quote on utility and other costs.
One suggestion Jenkins made during the meeting was to see if it would be possible for the city to keep one room in the current city building, after it is sold, for use of radio equipment and other materials which could still be accessed remotely.
"That way we don't have to move a bunch of stuff," she said.
The city recently attempted to auction its current building, at 104 North Court St., through the services of Kaufman Realty and Auctions of WV; however, the auction was not successful, leaving officials with a need for a second attempt.
The mayor indicated preparations for the new auction could begin in early January, with the possibility of the auction being held in March or April.
"We know it takes a good six weeks," White said.
Council agreed in February to purchase the River Avenue building from Dave Ewing at a cost of $40,000. Officials have noted an ongoing struggle to maintain the North Court Street building, which once was New Cumberland Elementary, and also previously included the offices of Hancock County Schools. Currently, the county Family Court, as well as the WVU Extension Office and the New Cumberland Food and Clothes Closet rents space in the building, in addition to it being the home of the New Cumberland city offices.