CRESTVIEW — Gulf Power has a new, unwanted building that could become a recycling facility for the Hub City. The City Council on Monday unanimously approved accepting the electric utility’s gift.
There’s just one catch: The city must dismantle and move the building.
The structure — originally a warehouse on Cadle Drive in southwest Crestview — comes with no other conditions, Public Works Director Wayne Steele said.
The 3,552-square-foot building is 96 feet long, 37 feet wide, was never occupied, has metal trusses, a metal roof, plywood walls and HardiePlank composite siding.
The cost to dismantle the building would not affect the Public Works budget, Steele said. The Okaloosa Correctional Institute’s inmate labor would dismantle and store components at Public Works until the council decides where to place the building and determines its purpose.
“We have been proactive in our recycling initiative. It would serve well as a recycling facility,” Steele said. “My recommendation would be to move it to behind the hospital by the fire building” on Brookmeade Drive.
Councilman Tim Grandberry praised the donation and Steele’s suggestion, and moved to accept the donation upon approval of the city attorney. Council President Ben Iannucci III, a proponent of introducing more green initiatives to Crestview, pronounced the suggestion as “Great!”
In other matters, the council:
• Unanimously approved an ordinance waiving collection of traffic impact fees for a 24-month trial.
“It’s a very big step to move our business development forward,” Iannucci said.
• Unanimously approved renewing Crestview’s annual dues to Sister Cities International for 2013. The action followed a two-week visit last month by 36 Noirmoutier, France guests.
• Unanimously approved placing an ad in a Crestview city map the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce will publish.
• Unanimously approved a contract for officiating services at Crestview Recreation Department sports events. Hub City Sports Officials’ $56,300 winning bid is $8,700 less than the budgeted amount.
The services had not been previously submitted for competitive bidding, Steele said.
• Unanimously approved having consultant Jack Dorman study the city’s military compatibility update to the comprehensive plan.
A workshop on the issue is at 8 a.m. Feb. 9 at city hall.
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gulf Power donates building to city