Delaware County has unveiled a master plan for the county government’s facilities that should see it through at least the next decade.
“With the County’s population anticipated to grow another 20 percent by 2030, we have determined that county government will need to grow 10 percent across the board in order to best serve our residents,” Jon Melvin, Delaware County’s director of facilities management, said in a press release issued by the county. “And to handle our own growth, we have had to think strategically and cost-effectively about how to best use our facilities.”
The plan to consolidate locations and reduce the number of buildings that the county owns and operates will improve efficiency and provide better customer service to our residents and businesses.
On Thursday, Melvin presented the commissioners with a Facilities Master Plan that was authored in partnership with Columbus-based engineering firm Star Consultants. A key factor in the plan’s recommendations is the anticipated purchase of the North Campus of the Delaware Area Career Center, located at 1610 State Route 521, Delaware. The commissioners voted to accept the Facilities Master Plan.
In July, commissioners approved a contract to purchase the DACC North Campus for $1.7 million. The nearly 20-acre campus is home to a single-story, 128,313 square foot structure that was built in 1974, according to the county auditor’s website.
The North Campus site will be renovated to house the following offices: sheriff’s administrative offices; county engineer; code compliance department; sanitary engineer (Regional Sewer District); Delaware County Regional Planning Commission; facilities management department; and the Delaware County Dog Shelter.
Additionally, when the Hayes Administration Building, located at 140 N. Sandusky St., fills completely, the Job and Family Services department will relocate to the North Campus.
The historic courthouse at the corner of Sandusky Street and Central Avenue will be renovated and will house the commissioners’ office, human resources department, economic development department, and Veterans Service Commission. According to a historical marker located outside the courthouse, the cornerstone for the structure was laid in May of 1868 and the building “was ready for occupancy in January of 1870.”
A number of buildings will be sold after they are vacated: 109 N. Sandusky St., 115 N. Sandusky St., 149 N. Sandusky St., 1405 U.S. Route 23 North, 50 Channing St., 4781 County Home Road.
Selling the vacated buildings is expected to generate approximately 25 percent of the estimated $22,035,751 cost of the renovations and relocations. Completion of all phases of the plan is expected no sooner than May 2020.
