By admin TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – On Monday, Oct. 12, the Benson City Council voted 4-3 to accept a building donation from Aluminum Dynamics that could become city hall.
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Aluminum Dynamics canceled plans to build a recycling plant in Benson earlier this year.
Opposition to that plant led to a lawsuit and a recall shakeup on the city council.
Second vote flips outcome
The council vote was the second time the item came up. It was denied two weeks ago.
Council member Ross Kaplowitch helped bring the item up again, flipping his initial no vote to a yes.
“You did elect us to listen to the public, but – no, there’s, it’s just – if we don’t do this now, we’re gonna be back here in two years doing it,” Kaplowitch said.
Community members voiced disapproval of the vote and support for the three council members who voted no.
Moving costs estimated at $1.6-1.8 million
The 12,000-square-foot modular building will be given to the city at no cost. The building will have to be moved from its current location at a construction site to a desired location in the center of the city.
According to a quote the city received, moving the building and creating a parking lot and sidewalks in the area would cost around $1.6 million to $1.8 million.
“If we went with brick and mortar, right now it would be $6-8 million dollars, and that doesn’t include engineering and feasibility studies,” Kaplowitch said.
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Kaplowitch said the city already has $1.8 million set aside specifically for a new city hall.
Residents push for other priorities
Residents with Health Over Wealth Benson said a new city hall isn’t necessary and that money should go toward a new fire or police department instead.
“We had surveys that have gone out in Benson that have asked citizens what they want. And public safety and roads are the number one issue – not a new city hall,” said Brendan Tammetta, Health Over Wealth Benson.
Kaplowitch said a new city hall is necessary because the city is currently working out of two separate locations, taking space away from the community.
“When I was growing up I went to the library every Saturday morning,” Kaplowitch said. “The library is taken up, the whole back section where all the paperbacks were, and it’s all being used by planning and zoning and code enforcement.”
Tammetta said the building will also have Aluminum Dynamics’ name on it.
“It’s a little bit of a sore subject for a lot of people in Benson. They don’t want a reminder of this whole hardship that we’ve actually dealt with,” Tammetta said.
Kaplowitch said contracts will be signed at the city’s Oct. 26 meeting, and the moving process will begin after that. He said addressing concerns of the public can come next.
“Once we’re all in one location, we can all work together,” Kaplowitch said.
Kaplowitch said the city is hoping the building will be moved and electrical and plumbing will be functional by July 2027.
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