*Menu
Search
Submit
McCook Gazette

Council sees updated renditions of new city building

Thursday, February 10, 2011
Updated renditions of the new city facility show how the structure will occupy the former West Ward block. Memorial Auditorium, above, is at the upper left of the elevation above. Fire truck bays, back, will be entered and exited on the northwest corner of the lot.

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Representatives for Prochaska & Associates presented McCook City Council members with graphic renditions of the exterior of the new Municipal Facility, scheduled to break ground in August, during their semi-monthly meeting Monday evening. The presentation gave councilors and department heads alike their first glimpse at what the exterior of the structure may look like.

The facility, which will house police, fire and city administration departments, is a vast improvement over current facilities and will include many innovations, some as simple as the availability of public restrooms, now not an option for either the police or fire departments. Covered parking for the electronically equipped police cruisers and bay area that will allow the fire department to bring vehicles and trailers currently stored at the airport inside, are both eagerly awaited items for city employees.

Prochaska representatives also explained their intent for the metal roof to be of a lighter color, which will aid in reducing cooling expenses in the summer by reflecting sunlight. The floorplan was a slight modification from the last version presented to City Council, in that the "wings" of the building have been removed, conforming to a more rectangle design of the main floor. According to the architects this and other changes were made as a cost reduction measure and led to a building design that would actually be more adaptive should future expansion or renovation be necessary.

The project is in its design and development phase now, scheduled to begin drafting construction documents in April and on target to break ground in August.

Comments
View 5 comments
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.

  • the design looks nice, but I see one glaring proble. does the city of mccook really need all that lawn and very little parking.

    Lets consider the the city auditorium is right next door and when there's anything going on there, the neighbor businesses and non profits have to shoulder the parking.

    Why don't we eliminate some of the lawn and make more parking. Let's get practical and not try to compete with Omaha and their wastefullness.

    We voted for this place hoping the city would be practical and not get unrealistic.

    Also, the way the city takes care of the grass...it's just going to turn yellow anyway.

    -- Posted by Justin76 on Thu, Feb 10, 2011, at 10:31 PM
    ! Report comment to editor

  • Justin, I asked this question to city staff when the initial plans came out. And the amount of green space is nothing new it's been the same each time plans have been shown. But to answer your question. I was told the entire block could be made parking but the cost goes up. Concrete is far more expensive than the "green space" Plus the cost of up keep to the parking spaces would be more in the long run.

    So if "we" the public want to keep the cost as low as possible, we won't get more parking. And we need to trust that staff has looked at all the issues.

    -- Posted by deacon71 on Sat, Feb 12, 2011, at 12:11 PM
    ! Report comment to editor

  • "trust that staff has looked at all the issues".....hmmm....keep asking questions Justin. Is this "Staff" asking for buy in, or just dictating the outcome?

    -- Posted by Mesa Dave on Sat, Feb 12, 2011, at 2:56 PM
    ! Report comment to editor

  • I wanted to add my 2 cents. I realize that many distrust any government institution, founded or unfounded. I have lived in many places and I have worked for many cities, including the City of McCook. I have never seen a city work so hard for their citizens. The staff (including management) truly want what is best for McCook. I have worked with SO many cities who don't care for their citizens, it breaks my heart to "hear" anyone think this way about the City of McCook. After experiencing city staff and (especially) management in other cities, I can absolutely say without a doubt, the City of McCook is the best I have ever seen. The only thing I would ask of you is to talk to your City, don't put words in their mouths or thoughts in their heads, if you have a question ask it, if you have a concern please tell them, they will listen. The Citizens of McCook are truly blessed to have a great staff who work so hard everyday to make McCook a great place to live. Thanks.

    -- Posted by Interested3000 on Mon, Feb 14, 2011, at 4:52 PM
    ! Report comment to editor

  • In that rendition, I count at least 58 parking spaces, none of which would need be used by police or fire vehicles.

    I'm fairly certain that's at least twice the amount available at the current city offices and public safety center right now (some of which ARE used for police and fire vehicles).

    -- Posted by Owen McPhillips on Thu, Feb 17, 2011, at 5:27 AM
    ! Report comment to editor
Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: