Owego, NY (WBNG Binghamton) The Village of Owego is made up of many small and historic buildings. Village offices are spread about among them. Some of those buildings are in need of an upgrade.
As Action News reporter Matt Markham tells us, an upgrade may also come in the location of village government offices.
Going between different village offices in Owego sometimes means walking a few blocks. That distance, and maintenance concerns, are prompting the village to consider alternatives for housing those offices.
"We would like to keep it a walking village. Anything that we have looked at or thought about or have any pipe dreams of would be in the downtown area," said village trustee Ann Lockwood.
The Mayor appointed Lockwood to lead a committee to study the space needs. He's waiting for recommendations.
"I asked them to look at alternatives. And there are several alternatives that they've looked at," Mayor Ed Arrington said.
"We would look at all of the buildings. Ideally, any village would have all of their municipal offices in one location," Lockwood said.
The committee says the historic building with the police station and village courts needs several exterior repairs and better handicapped access.
"We just aren't sure that, at this point, that building will go far enough in to the future," Lockwood said.
It the recommendation would be to consolidate all offices in one place, some wonder about the cost.
"We simply do not have enough money to build a huge new complex," said Laura Rodd of Owego.
The previous village board had been offered a $150,000 dollar federal grant for the police and courts building, but turned it down. The village would have had to match the grant.
"The next time we apply for any grants, we will be seriously considered as an area that's not willing to contribute a portion of its own local money," Rodd said.
The committee says it's only looking to save taxpayers money.
The committee meets weekly to discuss solutions. It believes the outcome must be one that will best support the village for the long-term.
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