1/11/1990 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Site Inventory and Analysis Mr. Halback reviewed several graphics of the 9 -block area showing existing uses, land use designations, natural features and contours, drainage, soil classifications, tree canopy, existing utilities, etc. He noted that the soils in the area are reasonable and should not cause any constraints, nor do they expect any constraints due to existing utilities. Mr. Halback noted that several buildings in the area may be of historical significance - the original Vero Beach Woman's Club building, the core of the present Courthouse which was built in 1935, the Pocahontas Building, and the original First Baptist Church at the southeast intersection of 16th Avenue and 21st Street. The Indian River County Historical Society feels very strongly that the Woman's Club should be retained and also the Pocahontas Building. They also have gone on record that the original 1935 construction of the courthouse should be retained, but they do not have any objection to the two wings being removed. Mr. Halback noted that the Woman's Club and the Pocahontas Building are not affected in the three final concepts. Commissioner Bird asked why the consultants feel it is necessary to tear down the wings of the Courthouse that were added in the late 1950s, especially since all it would be providing is green space. Mr. Halback explained that if the wings were renovated for office space, it would cause a fragmentation of the judicial functions. In their analysis, they considered what other agencies or departments could be housed in that space, such as the Public Defender's Office or the State Attorney':s Office, but determined it would not be cost feasible. Chairman Eggert..understood that the wings were beginning to pull away from the center of the building, which is what brought this up in the first place. 4 JAN I I I� Nor,