Wayne supervisors discuss renovation, relocation
By Donna Comella

November 21, the Wayne County Board of Supervisors will hear a proposal for renovating the old nursing home for use by the Department of Social Services and the Board of Elections.

At a recent meeting of the Ad Hoc committee in charge of the renovations, representatives from SWBR Architects said they believe the first phase of renovations would take nearly half of the 112,800 square feet in the building. Basing fees upon a similar project the firm is doing for the University of Rochester, Dave Bonetti predicted that Phase 1 could cost between $115 and $130 per square foot. That could cost the county about $6.5 or $7.5 million. Bonetti also advised the committee that it would be prudent to hire a Construction Manager because of the time-sensitivity of the project.

The lease on the building (downtown Lyons) that currently houses DSS runs out September 2007. That would add a cost of approximately $40,000 - $50,000 for pre-construction work and 3 to 5 percent of the total project cost after that.

Macedon Supervisor Bill Hammond, who does not serve on the Ad Hoc committee, questioned spending $8 million for 56,000 square feet.

Arcadia Supervisor Joe DeSanto, who heads the Ad Hoc, said, 'I know there's opposition, but is it the right thing for taxpayers? I think so.' The county currently pays about $500,000/year in lease payments and taxes on the DSS Water Street building.

The committee will discuss possibly extending the lease, and bring several resolutions to the full board when it meets Tuesday, November 21 at 9 a.m.

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