Engineers look at options for the closed government center

GOSHEN – In another jargon-laden dialogue with representatives from Fusco Engineering and Land Surveying and Labella Associates, Orange County officials continued to deliberate on the future of the government center Goshen.

With a decision looming on whether or not to renovate and reoccupy the building or construct a new one, legislators pressed the consultants with questions during a special meeting of the Physical Services Committee on Monday afternoon.

With an array of cost options available for either choice, from a delaying $14 million, three-to-five year reoccupation to a total rebuilt costing upwards of $140 million, the legislature needs to nail down a focus for the project before preliminary work can even begin.

Republican Kevin Hines suggested the consultants devise something like a shopping list to help streamline the process, rather than just bulk figures. But consultant Mark Kukuvka responded by comparing the multiple books of information they've compiled to a Chinese food menu, and that unless they narrowed in on a goal figure, the number of choices would be overwhelming.

Democrat Christopher Eachus said he'd like to see new tech like that implemented whether they build new or not.

“We're trying to bring in that new and modern stuff, the stuff that's not here or in many other government centers. [Video conferencing, queuing, etc.] is taken into consideration in all cases, renovating up to building new," Eachus said.

"You're at a study point in the process," said Kukuvka. "At a milestone point, the county and the legislature need to make a decision on what departments they want to include and not include and what is the project. Is it renovation or is it new? Are we going to tackle some of the outlying nine buildings that have been evaluated or not?"