THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 9, 1994 TAG: 9411090321
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE KNEPLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Renovations to convert a former department store into a ``mini-City Hall'' have been mismanaged, are over budget and behind schedule, City Councilman Herbert M. Collins Sr. alleged Tuesday.
Collins also asserted that the property, formally known as the Granby Municipal Building, is rife with building code violations.
``We have to practice what we preach. That building is not fit for occupancy,'' Collins told his fellow council members and city staff.
He called for an audit of the $5.6 million already budgeted for the work.
Collins made his allegations after touring the building several times, including a three-hour visit on Monday, he said.
He said he was accompanied by an architect, an electrician and a pipe fitter.
He also said he discussed problems with some employees who work in the building.
The building, in the 400 block of Granby Street, formerly was the downtown location of the old Rices Nachmans department store.
City Manager James B. Oliver Jr. promised council members he would issue a report to them on Dec. 4.
Meanwhile, Assistant City Manager Darlene Burcham told the council that the city is ``still within budget'' for the renovations.
But Assistant City Manager Shurl Montgomery said later that additional appropriations probably would be needed to finish the work. He expected completion by early next summer, which would put the conclusion about a year behind schedule.
Montgomery said all of the major work has been done. But he said the project, which began three years ago, ran into unanticipated problems, including asbestos removal, roof work, window replacements and installation of a raised-floor system and an elevator.
Norfolk bought the building several years ago to provide space for about 400 municipal employees, most of whom were working out of rented facilities elsewhere in the city. The relocation of the 400 employees to Granby Street also was touted as a way to boost business for downtown merchants.
The only city workers to be moved to the four-story facility so far are housing and building code-enforcement employees.
Workers from the city's departments of utilities and information systems and some from human services are also slated to be moved to the building. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
CHRISTOPHER REDDICK/Staff
After touring the Granby Municipal Building, Norfolk Councilman
Herbert M. Collins Sr. said the structure isn't fit for occupancy.
City Manager James B. Oliver Jr. promised a report on Dec. 4. The
structure formerly was the downtown location of the old Rices
Nachmans department store.
by CNB