After several delays, St. James expects its new Town Hall will be open by December and the adjoining community center on N.C. 211 to be hosting events by January.
Town officials are holding off on proclaiming official opening dates for both buildings, at least for the time being.
Certificates of occupancy issued by Brunswick County are needed to open both buildings to the public, Town Administrator Josann Campanello said.
Robin Schuster, community center manager, said officials hope to open the 8,200 square-foot town hall by December. Activities are already scheduled for January at the 13,650 square-foot community center.
“I'd say it's 95 percent complete. It's close,” Schuster said.
St. James residents are looking forward to the opening of the versatile community center, Schuster said Monday.
“They're excited. They've been anticipating the opening of it all this fall,” she said.
Councilman Jim Donnelly, who oversees town finances, said the project's total cost should be about $5.1 million once audio/visual and information technology equipment is installed, architect and inspection fees are paid and other incidental expenses are covered.
“Right now we're on budget,” Donnelly said.
The town had money saved and took out a $1.5 million construction loan through First Federal Bank to get work under way on the town hall and community center. When the buildings are finished, St. James will receive a 30-year, $5 million U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Loan.
After years of contentious debate in town about whether the community center was needed, work on the town hall and community center began in October 2009.
Town officials had projected both buildings would be complete by September or October.
Project manager Walt Madsen told the Town Council in September the project was about six weeks behind schedule because the installation of exterior panels on both buildings is taking more time than anticipated
“Many things are uncontrollable, such as delivery of materials, sub-contractors not showing up as well as bankruptcies,” Madsen also told the council, according to meeting minutes.
The town bought the 13-acre tract of land from Brunswick County in 2007. The single-story buildings will be joined by a pavilion designed for outdoor events.
The community center includes a large ballroom that can be used by different groups and be available for events like wedding receptions, business gatherings and birthday parties, Schuster said.
“It's a multi-purpose, multi-use building,” she said.
The Town Hall will include council chambers with a seating capacity of 70 people, along with town offices and office space that will be leased to the St. James Property Owners' Association.
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