Carterton District Council [CDC] is looking to sell a weather-damaged building on Holloway St.
The building, which houses the Salvation Army store and an art gallery, has been council-owned since 2005.
In November last year, extreme weather caused severe damage, including flooding through the roof, walls, and light sockets, resulting in damage to the office, hallway, and carpets.
Although temporary repairs have been made, these have identified further issues that may result in flooding spreading to a neighbouring property.
CDC said the building has been assessed and requires work to the tune of $184k to ensure it is watertight.
The work needed includes: the replacement of the external soak pit – potentially with a submersible pump, or designed and sized for the roof; roof replacement; plumbing work; rewiring; and pulling the carpark and footpath away from the building to create drainage channels between the building and the footpath.
CDC has explored two options for the building.
The first option was to allocate a significant investment into it, which would allow both tenants to stay and continue operating.
The second was selling the building.
“Council considered the options and concluded we would like to explore the option of disposal,” CDC said.
“The building needs a considerable amount of work and updating, which is not budgeted.
“Investing in the repairs of this building will see an impact on rates.”
Consultation on the proposal to sell the building is open until 4pm, July 2.
The affected tenants have been notified and will be supported by council throughout this process, CDC said. – NZLDR
Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air