by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
The major renovations to the old Haverty’s Building are nearing completion and it’s a good thing because according to the latest report issued by John Keane, executive director/administrator of the Police and Fire Pension Fund — which owns the building — the price tag is nearing $8 million.
When finished, the building will be leased to the City, which has decided to assign its Environmental and Compliance Department as the main tenant and which will occupy floors 3-6. According to Keane, that decision was made by the City July 25. A couple of weeks later, the City decided its Municipal Code Compliance Division would occupy the second floor and part of the first.
In his quarterly report, Keane said once the City made its decision, he instructed KBJ to begin the build-out phase of the interior of the building, which began in early September and has been a “beehive of activity” since.
“We are hopeful that rapid mobilization of trades will allow for the occupancy of the building by the end of February 2009,” wrote Keane.
During the final phase of build-out, Keane expects the building to receive its LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification. This designation is awarded by the United States Green Building Council and recognizes a developer for their use of environmentally sensitive construction materials and design practices. The certification will assure the Haverty’s Building is deemed a “green building” per USGBC requirements.
One aspect of green building won’t happen, though.
“An effort to incorporate a solar demonstration project on the roof was regrettably abandoned due to the inability to justify the expense from a return on investment standpoint,” said Keane.
While the City may be moving two departments to the Haverty’s Building, one City function isn’t moving in. According to Keane, on June 3 he and his staff met with the Public Defender Bill White about White’s office possibly being the sole tenant of the building. Six days later, the City notified Keane that White and his office would not be moving into the building when it’s completed.
“It’s a beautiful building, one of (architect Henry) Klutho’s. From that point of view, it’s always nice to be in an historic building,” said White. “We gave it a look and had a couple of preliminary meetings with (City departments) Public Buildings and Public Works.”
White said that plan would have worked because within a few years the new County Courthouse would be built just a couple of blocks away. With the uncertainty surrounding the Courthouse, White said it makes sense for his office to stay on Market Street until the Courthouse is well underway.
“The problem is, the (current) Courthouse is here and the (Haverty’s) building is there (across from City Hall). I have 65 lawyers who have to go to court every day,” said White.
356-2466