Maybe someday, there will be a new island formed just off the coast of Hawaii.Mayor Tom Henry plans to delay the purchase of Renaissance Square to discuss renewed interest in merging city and county offices with the Allen County commissioners.
The commissioners sent Henry and Council President Tom Smith, R-1st, a letter Monday expressing new interest in an old idea: having the city and county police departments share a home downtown.
"The county would be interested in considering a leasing arrangement for space within Renaissance (Square) for the sheriff similar to the deal currently in place for city offices within the City-County Building," they wrote.
In response to the letter, Henry said he will ask the City Council to postpone its discussion of buying the building at 220 E. Berry St., known as Renaissance Square, to serve as his new City Hall.
Last week, Henry announced the city’s intention to buy the 220,000-square-foot building for $7.3 million and invest $7.2 million renovating the 1959 building.
"It’s important for us to sit down with the county commissioners," he said.
The City Council had planned to discuss the purchase Tuesday, but Smith said he supports delaying that discussion to give the city and county time to talk. He said many people have concerns, and a deal between the city and county would be beneficial.
"This is one of those projects that need not be rushed," Smith said.
The commissioners asked that all city and county administrative departments be kept in the City-County Building. This would prevent moving costs and allow the city and county to continue their cooperative efforts, they wrote.
Last October, Fort Wayne and Allen County officials decided not to move forward with a plan to house the county sheriff’s and city police departments together in the City-County Building.
A $16 million to $18 million plan to renovate and move government offices into Renaissance Square so both police departments could move into the City-County Building would have cost local government an extra $10 million in operating costs over 10 years.
That price tag was deemed too high to justify blue and brown uniforms sharing the same building.
Henry said things have changed since then, including the price of the building, which has led to the possibility for a deal being struck.
"The scenery has changed since last fall," he said.
Henry said if the talks with the commissioners go well, he will be happy to change his plans, but if they stall, he is committed to moving forward with his original idea.
