C-R considers Maranatha for bus garage

6/6/2017

By Jim Poole

The former Maranatha Family Center may become Cobleskill-Richmondville’s new bus garage.
But only if the numbers work and voters give their okay.
At a special meeting Monday night, school board members approved two contracts: One with CSArch for a feasibility study and a second with PSI to examine the gym’s mold problem.
The feasibility study will advise C-R officials whether to move forward, according to Superintendent Carl Mummenthey.
If the study is positive, the project would go to voters, probably later this year. Voters must approve any property purchase by the district.
Stella McKenna opened the gym five years ago, and it closed a year later. New York Business Development Corporation, one of the creditors, took possession of the property in an auction 18 months ago.
The corporation’s asking price is $1.595 million.
Board members believe C-R could buy the building for less than that because there’s apparently been little interest on the market. However, the gym would still need extensive renovations and possibly mold removal.
The feasibility study will look at whether the gym is suitable for a bus garage and whether it’s worth the cost.
At the same time, the study will determine the effect of a large property coming off the tax rolls.
“We’re always concerned about what’s coming on the tax roll and what’s coming off,” Mr. Mummenthey said.
“This is only favorable if the acquisition and renovation is less than the cost of new construction, and taking the tax impact into account.”
Board member Dan Schulte pointed out that the yellow house just east of the gym is also on the property. It could be subdivided, sold, and put back on the tax roll, he said.
Mr. Mummenthey added that he expected the state Department of Transportation to study potential traffic flow for the site.
C-R has been considering a new bus garage for some time. The current garage on Elm Street has rust and damage to steel beams, and there are concerns with access, parking and security.
Also, school officials believe housing the district’s nearly 60 buses under shelter would extend their life and eventually save money.
“Those are the long-term savings,” board President Bruce Tryon said.
“Having the buses under shelter will contribute greatly to the long-term savings we are anticipating.”
Maranatha has about 60,000 square feet. Roughly half of that space would be used for work space, parts and storage; the rest would be for the buses.
Most, maybe all, of the buses would fit in the remaining space, transportation Supervisor Bill Himme said.
The feasibility study will take six to eight weeks to complete, Mr. Mummenthey said.
“We won’t proceed if the feasibility study shows it won’t work,” he said. “If we move forward, we will be very transparent with the public.”
The feasibility study will cost $19,000; the environmental study, $2,700 to $3,500.