Trending
FAIRMONT-- On Monday the Fairmont City Council heard from Jonathan Loose of Wold Architects and Engineers who presented information on behalf of Martin County regarding a new site for the proposed Martin County Public Safety Center and Justice Center.
The county is proposing to place the new $32 million facility along N. State Street, just north of Margaret Street in Fairmont.
Previously, the county had tried to place the facility on the south side of Margaret Street but the Fairmont City Council rejected those plans in October of 2023.
"At this point the county is working closely with (Fairmont) city staff... on the project thus far," Loose said.
He said right now the county has a preliminary plat application in and that the county is looking to develop the site just north of Margaret Street and west of State Street.
"The main goal is to find a site that works for everyone," Loose said.
He stressed that the county wants to work with the city to see how the easement would work with the existing property owners.
"We'll look to come back in more formal increments when there's public hearings and such," Loose said.
Interim City Administrator Jeff O'Neill said that the vacation of a road right-of-way is being proposed and will need to be approved by city council for Martin County to move forward at the site.
"We want to make sure that whatever we do works with the vacation of the plat and that there isn't anyone that's over encumbered and that the ongoing maintenance of the roadway and access to utilities is the same as it is today on the current plat," O'Neill said.
He said the goal is to flush out all concerns and issues and make sure that they're addressed properly in time for the council to makes its decision on the plat.
The city's Public Works Director, Matthew York, said that the right-of-way in question is a current platted roadway system and that the sanitary sewer and water main all go through the location. He said it's a relatively simple process to take the right-of-way away and place an easement on top of the utilities.
"The utilities would stay in the same place and have the same access but we would be able to utilize them as part of this facility," York said.
Council Member Britney Kawecki thanked the county for coming and giving a presentation and keeping the city up-to-date on its plans.
"I look forward to hearing about it at the Planning Commission and what city staff has to say moving forward," Kawecki said.
Several county commissioners, as well as other county staff were present at Monday's meeting but opted not to comment at the time of the presentation.