Mayor Pushes City Hall-Library-Office Building

Oak Creek Mayor Dick Bolender isn't giving up on his idea for a multi-tenant City Hall/library building that he first floated back in October.

However, it remains to be seen whether the Oak Creek Common Council will agree with him.

Bolender wants a multi-level building on the former Delphi property that would have a new library on the first floor, City Hall on the second and private business (such as doctor's offices or law firms) on the upper floors.

Those private entities would pay rent to the city, which Bolender says would defray the cost of moving City Hall and library and thus has great appeal to taxpayers.

He also wants to move municipal buildings to Delphi to send a message to potential developers that the city feels strongly about the redevelopment potential of that property, at the corner of Drexel and Howell avenues.

"It makes a statement to the rest of the state: We believe that this is the best thing to happen to Oak Creek, so we’re putting our City Hall and library there," he said. "You're putting your money where your mouth is."

How many floors it would be, and exactly how much revenue it would generate, is unknown. But it's an example of the type of change in thinking that Bolender feels is necessary for municipalities to survive.

"The way governments do business has to change. People are sick of taxes and sick of politicians," he said. "The first thing they ask is, 'What is it going to cost me?'

"This has a possibility of making money."

Will it pass?

While Bolender portrays his idea as no-lose, not everyone on the Oak Creek Common Council feels the same way. 

It's the council which will ultimately make the final decision regarding the future of City Hall and the library, and a few of the six aldermen have said they want to keep those municipal buildings where they are, on the corner of Puetz and Howell.

Alderman Steve Scaffidi said he doesn't support the mayor's proposal. He favors keeping City Hall where it is, though he is open to moving the library to Delphi because it would help bring people to the site.

Scaffidi believes there will be some public-sector component to Delphi, but it should be one that will attract people to go there, he said. Most residents rarely need to go to City Hall.

"There's no reason to throw everything we have over there," Scaffidi said. "We can hang onto some of our traditions, and we could assist Delphi redevelopment with a building that has people go in and out every day."

Alderman Tom Michalski didn't endorse Bolender's proposal outright but said he is willing to consider the idea if it's proven fiscally and logistically possible.

He added that he tends to favor moving City Hall and the library to Delphi.

"I'm willing to move it if it's financially feasible for the city to move it without raising taxes, and I think it is," Michalski said. "I know for sure that we are in need of a new library and in need of a City Hall to allow us to better utilize our employees."

What's next?

The City Hall and library question is just one part of the discussions surrounding the redevelopment of the 85-acre Delphi site. The land is expected to have a wide range of uses, including residential and retail components.

Two meetings have been held to solicit public input; a third is scheduled for later this year. A citywide survey will also be sent to residents.

Scaffidi and other city officials have said they hope to have a plan in place by the end of the year.