By Rick Wright

Staff Writer

The depressed real estate market might provide an opportunity for South Portland to get a new city hall.

The four-story building at 100 Waterman Drive has sat vacant since it was constructed in 2008 because the broker has not been able to find a buyer in this down economy.

Last week, city councilors and department leaders took part in a site walk of the property before their workshop to discuss public improvement strategies.

Led by Andrew Ingalls of the Boulos Co., the owner’s broker, the group spent nearly an hour touring the first and fourth floors of the complex. Some even climbed an interior ladder to the roof where they were treated to views of the Fore River, Portland skyline and South Portland’s Knightville neighborhood.

 “We can’t let the view and the newness affect our thinking,” said Councilor Tom Blake.

After the site walk, councilors met and spent nearly two hours prioritizing several public improvement projects, including a new public works facility and new city hall.

In a position paper for councilors, City Manager Jim Gailey wrote, “It is no secret that city hall is falling down around us and is not the best image for South Portland. Taking advantage of a reduced price for the Waterman Drive property during these economic times may be of interest to some councilors.”

Ingalls declined to give a specific price for a sale to South Portland but did say, “We’ve told the town we can essentially give it to them at cost. The owner believes it would be a perfect city hall. This is a great opportunity because of the cost and the quality of the building. It will last for 100 years.”

The building has 32,000 square feet of interior space with a 75-car, on-site parking lot. The list price is $1.2 to $1.4 million per floor, according to the Boulos Co. website.

“If we can get a real steal on it, that might change my thinking,” Blake said.

South Portland’s current city hall is located at 25 Cottage Road. The original section was built in 1898 and a wing was added in the 1970s, Gailey said.

During the years, the old building has been used as a church, courthouse and jail, Gailey said.

The current city hall provides office space for several municipal offices, including the city manager, assistant city manager and finance director.

The old building also houses the city clerk’s office, meeting rooms, city council chambers and a variety of other offices.

“We are dealing with major issues here at city hall. We’re spending thousands of dollars trying to keep it alive,” Gailey said.

Among other things, city hall needs a new roof, molding repairs and new furnaces, Gailey said.

Gailey said 100 Waterman Drive would save the city money by bringing departments  such as planning, assessment and the school superintendent’s office under one roof. 

Gailey also said money could be saved in heating costs. He said 100 Waterman Drive consumed $9,000 worth of gas last year with the thermostat set at 57 degrees. Conversely, Gailey said, the city has budgeted nearly $30,000 for oil to heat city hall and the Hamlin School building for the planning department next year.  

Blake opposes the purchase of 100 Waterman Drive because he thinks the city has more pressing priorities right now. Blake also said city hall should be moved into the Mahoney Middle School building if and when the school department consolidates to one middle school.

“When we’re eliminating programs and laying off employees, I just can’t justify spending $6 million when we have other priorities,” Blake said.

Gailey said no specific price has been identified for the Boulos property because it’s too early in the process. A price would have to be negotiated, he said.

Blake said Mahoney could be a multi-use facility that could house city hall departments, the school superintendent’s staff, community services and paying tenants.

The current city hall building is “old but still functional,” Blake said. “People never tell me we need a new city hall.”

The Waterman Drive building is located a few blocks from city hall, next to the Casco Bay Bridge between B and C streets. It is comprised of four office and retail condominiums that can be purchased separately or as a whole.  

The council will discuss the issue again sometime within the next two weeks, Gailey said. 

Rick Wright can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 237 or news@inthesentry.com.