McMinnville Votes To Borrow Money For Civic Center Project

McMinnville officials approved a resolution Tuesday to borrow up to $10 million for renovation work at the civic center.

City Administrator Bill Brock said residents will now have 20 days to decide if the resolution should be brought to a referendum.

“If they fail to do that then the city can move forward with funding and construction,” Brock said. “If the taxpayers vote it down then the project is basically dead and that will stop everything in its tracks.”

Brock said a special election would likely be called if residents successfully petition for a referendum.

“It would cost the city to do that instead of waiting on the next election, which is probably two years away. Even if it comes up for a referendum, that would be two to three months down the road,” Brock said. “The problem is that we have a contractor who has bid a price and how long can he hold that price? That answer we don’t know at this time.”

The renovation work will include utility upgrades, expansion projects, and making the building ADA compliant.

Brock said the building has not had any renovations since it was built brand new in the 1970’s.

“Many years have gone by with just paint jobs and repairs,” Brock said. “We are trying to add some space to the building and bring it up to par to what it’s being used for today and not when it was originally built.”

Sain Construction placed a $9.2 million bid on the project earlier this year.

The board of mayor and aldermen voted 4-3 to approve the resolution to borrow money.