The search for an architect to design the new Oxford Township hall is underway.
Township officials voted unanimously Monday night to direct the Building and Site Committee to move forward with the selection process for hiring an architect to design a new township hall, which could be anywhere from 13,500 to 21,000 square feet based on initial needs estimates.
Officials stated that hiring their own architect and working directly with that person on the design would give the township ‘more control? and ‘more involvement? in the project. Trustee Shrirley Clancy called it the ‘best approach? for this type of project.
Oxford’s new township hall will be located on a 27-acre parcel the municipality owns at Seymour Lake and Granger roads. Initial estimates for the new hall’s size range from 13,500 square feet to 21,000 square feet ? the latter estimate includes space for the township’s parks and recreation department (2,500 square-feet) and an Oakland County Sheriff’s Department substation (5,000 square feet). These space estimates are designed to accomodate the township’s needs and growth over a 10-year period.
The township’s current offices on W. Burdick street total 2,400 square feet and house the supervisor, clerk, treasurer and building departments.
The township has $1,370,278 in available funds to spend on a new hall, along with the possible lease/rental fees from the building department, sheriff’s department and parks and recreation.
Should the project cost exceed the township’s available funding, Clancy said the municipality would have to explore other funding mechanisms, such as a bond or bank loan, to make up the difference.
Currently, ‘there is no way to accurately indicate a projected building cost or budget? for the new hall, according to Clancy.
‘Once the variables have been decided and an architect is on task, the township will be able to more clearly define an estimate,? Clancy wrote in a memo to the board.