By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com
WALDPORT – The idea of turning the city’s former museum on Northeast Third and Grant streets into a performing arts center or other civic use may be dead.
So, should the city turn it into temporary housing for new workers, interns or others who have jobs in Waldport but are struggling to find a place to live?
The city council last week gave city manager Dann Cutter to go-ahead to see what it would cost to turn the building into two apartments, but cautioned him they really don’t want to become landlords.
“I’m not sure it will be worth it,” Cutter told the council Thursday. “It’s just a worthwhile avenue to explore. It’s only a request to investigate.”
The building was vacated last summer when the museum moved to the city’s recently acquired Alsea Bay Interpretive Center at the south end of the Alsea bridge.
There was initial interest in it by the Alsea Bay Center for the Arts, Waldport Lions and some others – but none responded to the city’s request for proposals by a Dec. 31 deadline. Green Bike Co-op volunteers talked to Cutter about the building this month, but haven’t submitted a proposal.
With the city planning to hire at least four people in public works to replace retiring and departing workers or fill new positions, the desire to offer housing for a city hall intern, Cutter said offering temporary housing might help find the best people.
Cutter said he would get some estimates and bring those back to the council.
“I’m not wild about being a landlord, but go get the numbers,” said councilor Greg Dunn.
In other business last week, the council:
- Agreed to pay up to $17,500 for the July 3 fireworks contract with Western Display of Canby. But, Cutter said he will ask the chamber of commerce to help it seek major sponsors and other donations to defray most of that cost. Western Display is cutting back on the number of July 3-4 shows, raising its prices 15-20 percent, and requiring signed contracts and upfront deposits from communities across the state.
- Heard Cutter outline a plan to reorganize the public works department with the departure of director Scott Andry. The plan is to hire someone to oversee the water and wastewater plants and have longtime supervisor Mike Lee oversee utility and street operations. Cutter said creating two teams is designed to “put more people working in the field …”
- Heard a plea from the Beachcombers Day Committee to help it coordinate with the Moose Lodge when it comes to closing off streets for the June 17-19 event. The Moose submitted a request to the city to close off John Street in front of the lodge so it could hold its own fundraiser during the three-day event. “We haven’t been able to get them to cooperate with us,” said Beachcomber Days committee member TiAnne Rios.
- Agreed to a request by Waldport High School principal Amy Skirvin, who helps organize the timber competition during Beachcomber Days, to consider erecting 2-3 climbing poles in Southworth Park along Northwest Hemlock Street that would bring more competitors to the event.