To provide a history of the Borough’s management of the Borough-owned Verizon Building, we went back into the minutes and agendas as far back as the Borough’s website would allow and cut and paste below every reference to the Verizon Building we could find. The building was purchased for $3.25 million in September 2007. At the time it was still occupied Verizon and it paid rental fees for eight months totaling $610,000.
We tried to identify people where it was appropriate and also noted where mentions were made by members of the public in a public comments portion of public meetings. Statements that were made that we felt were important to the history and condition of the Verizon Building were highlighted in red. We also added some additional history that we have reported on with the lead of “MTTC Insert” in a couple places within the stream.
December 19, 2007 (Minutes)
Council need to discuss whether they want to hire someone to oversee the renovations of the Verizon building project.
October 15, 2008 (Agenda)
The sale of the Verizon Building at 402 Fayette Street update.
October 15, 2008 (Minutes)
The RFP’s for the sale of the Verizon Building and the parking lot at Spring Mill Avenue and Harry Street will be advertised and they are due back on November 25, 2008.
November 19, 2008 (Minutes)
Bids will be opened on November 25, 2008 for the sale of the parking lot at Spring Mill and Harry Street and the Verizon Building at 402 Fayette Street.
December 17, 2008 (Agenda)
(1) Council will have to discuss adopting a motion to accept or reject the Verizon Building at 402 Fayette Street bid which was received.
December 17, 2008 (Minutes)
A motion was made by Mr. Salus to reject the Verizon Building at 402 Fayette Street bid which was received. Seconded by Mr. McConnell. A Roll Call was taken. All members of Council voted to reject the bid.
February 18, 2009 (Minutes)
(Public Comment) Mr. McTamney also asked if there are any plans for the Verizon building.
March 18, 2009 (Agenda)
(5) The Verizon Building project update.
March 18, 2009 (Minutes)
(Ward 1 Councilman) Mr. Salus gave an update on the Verizon Building. He stated that Council is still exploring options and proposals presented to them. Council has not made any final decisions except of the possibility of the staff moving in with as few renovations as possible.
April 15, 2009 (Minutes)
(Public Comment) Mr. Gerry McTamney, 239 W. 11th Avenue, stated he had a few questions about the Verizon building and Code Enforcement problems (i.e. weeds and signs). He asked what the Borough was doing about all of their building (i.e., what plans for the future) and he said he was still receiving phone calls from residents about signs in the right of way and weeds growing. Mrs. Caterbone announced that no residents should call Mr. McTamney because he is no longer a Borough employee and all calls should be made to the Code Department at Borough Hall.
May 20, 2009 (Minutes)
(Public Comment) Jack Coll, 324 Fayette Street had as few questions. Second, he questioned the issue of the Verizon building (i.e. the asbestos issue and whether it was safe for the employees). He wanted to know if any studies were done on the asbestos and whether or not the building would be renovated before any move. Mr. Salus said that the building was safe and very little renovations would be done. After the move, it would be determined what would be needed in the way of renovations. (we edited this to just include Verizon Building related questions)
MTTC Insert – Note that then Councilman Jason Salus states that the building is safe and doesn’t need much work for the Borough staff to move in.
August 19, 2009 (Minutes)
A motion was made to record for the minutes the Wednesday, August 5, 2009 vote taken to adopt a motion authorizing the Manager to execute the Architect’s updated proposal for the Verizon Building work with an estimated increase of less than $1,000. Mr. Salus made the motion, it was seconded by Mr. Griffin, everyone voted in favor of the motion except Mr. Tucci, Mr. Phipps and Mr. Stokley who were absent.
A motion was made to record for the minutes the Wednesday, August 5, 2009 vote taken to adopt a motion authorizing the Engineer to apply for an Energy Grant for the Verizon Building. Mr. Salus made the motion, it was seconded by Mr. McConnell, everyone voted in favor of the motion except Mr. Tucci, Mr. Phipps and Mr. Stokley who were absent.
September 16, 2009 (Minutes)
An announcement was made that the Borough Administrative Offices will be moving to the Verizon Building. Jim Bogrette has compiled more data and specification for the building. He is concentrating on finalizing the Administrative area first. He would like to meet with Council to go over all the details.
MTTC Insert – As we reported, a source provided photos taken on September 25th of water damage. This is less than two weeks after the Borough announces that it is moving into the building.
October 21, 2009 (Agenda)
(2) Council will have to discuss if they want to adopt a motion to authorize the Manager to execute a proposals for an environmental services survey for the Verizon Building. Attached is a worksheet I used to review these proposals.
November 18, 2009 (Agenda)
(2) Council will have to discuss if they want to adopt a motion to authorize the appropriate Official to execute a proposal for an environmental services survey for the Verizon Building. Attached is a worksheet I used to review these proposals.
(3) Council will have to discuss if they want to adopt a motion to authorize the Manager to execute a proposal from the Architect to keep the Verizon Building Renovations Project moving forward.
(7) Council will have to discuss if they want to authorize the Solicitor to move forward with creating condo documents for the Verizon Building for the proposed sale of the third level.
October 21, 2009 (Minutes)
An announced (sic) was made that Council has a roof report for the Verizon Building from DelBuono Contracting for their review.
Mr. Stokley asked Council to hold off on adopting a motion to authorize the Manager to execute a proposal for an environmental services survey for the Verizon Building.
November 18, 2009 (Minutes)
Council agreed to hold off on an environmental services survey, proposals from architects and additional appraisal work that is associated with the Verizon building.
December 16, 2009 (Agenda)
(1) Council will have to discuss if they want to adopt a motion for a proposal for an environmental services survey for the Verizon Building. Attached is a worksheet I used to review these proposals.
MTTC Insert – As we reported, a source provided photos taken in early January of the initial mold discovered. As you can see above, Borough Council had held off conducting an environmental survey the past few months.
January 20, 2010 (Agenda)
(1) The Verizon Building Project update.
(3) The Architect’s proposal for the Verizon Building Renovations Project update.
(4) Condo documents for the Verizon Building for the proposed sale of the third floor update.
(8) Verizon Building Environmental Survey update
January 20, 2010 (Minutes)
(Borough Manager) Mr. Marabella announced that the Verizon Building Environmental Survey should be completed within the next 30 days.
February 17, 2010 (Statement of Financial Results for 2009)
Forward Looking Statement
We passed the 2010 budget to maintain current levels of service, fund expected capital improvements, including continuation of the roads program. The primary uncertainty for the 2010 budget is the disposition of Borough Properties, in particular the Borough Hall and the property formally known as the Verizon Building.
May 19, 2010 (Minutes)
(Public Comment) Gerry McTamney stated there were many property issues in the Borough and asked Council what they were doing about the problems. He also questioned Council about what they were doing about the Verizon building.
June 16, 2010 (Agenda)
2. Buildings
a. Verizon
i. Building Roof replacement proposal
June 16, 2010 (Minutes)
An announcement was made that the bid for the Verizon Building Roof replacement proposal will be awarded at the July 7, 2010 Workshop meeting.
July 21, 2010 (Agenda)
2. Buildings
a. Verizon
i. Council will have for consideration authorizing the Verizon Building Roof replacement proposal from Kimmel Bogrette for $11,000
July 21, 2010 (Minutes)
A motion was made by Mr. Phipps to authorize the replacement proposal for the Verizon Building Roof from Kimmel Bogrette (Kimmel Bogrette is an architecture company, not a roofing contractor) for $11,000. Motion was seconded by Mr. Stokley. All voted in favor except Mr. Tucci who was absent. Motion passed.
August 18, 2010 (Agenda, please note that this post on the borough’s website is mislabeled as minutes)
2. Buildings
a. Verizon
i. Council will have for consideration authorizing Kimmel Bogrette to receive bids for the Verizon Building Roof replacement after Councilman’s Phipps approval of the specs
September 15, 2010 (Agenda)
2. Buildings
a. Verizon
i. Verizon Building Roof replacement update
September 15, 2010 (Minutes)
(Borough Manager) Mr. Marabella announced that the bids for the Verizon Building Roof replacement are due on September 30, 2010.
October 20, 2010 (Agenda)
2. Buildings
a. Verizon
i. Council will have for consideration awarding the Notice of Intent to Award, waive the 30 days review period and authorize the Council President to execute the Agreement for the Verizon Building Roof replacement to Jottan, Inc. for $267,579.
October 20, 2010 (Minutes)
An announcement was made that Council will have for consideration at the November Workshop awarding the Notice of Intent to Award, waiving the 30 days review period and authorizing the Council President to execute the Agreement for the Verizon Building Roof replacement to Jottan, Inc. for $267,579.
November 17, 2010 (Minutes)
A motion was made to table the vote for the Verizon Building Roof replacement. A Roll Call vote was taken. Mr. Salus, Mr. Griffin, Ms. May, Mr. Stokley and Mr. Phipps voted yes. Mr. Tucci and Mr. McConnell voted no. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to reject the Bid for the Verizon Building. Motion was seconded by Ms. Maye. All voted in favor. Motion passed.
January 19, 2011 (Agenda)
2. Buildings
a. Verizon Building – Council would like to discuss this matter to see what our next steps are.
January 19, 2011 (Minutes)
(Borough Manager) Mr. Marabella announced that Council will discuss the Verizon Building options at the next Workshop Meeting.
February 16, 2011 (Minutes)
(Borough Manager) Mr. Marabella announced that Council will discuss the Verizon Building options at the next Workshop Meeting.
March 16, 2011 (Agenda)
2. Buildings
a. Record in the minutes that there was a Special Borough’s Properties meeting on Monday, February 21, 2011 at 6:30 P.M. At the meeting Borough Council discussed what to do with the Borough Hall and Police Station Building, the Verizon Building at 402 Fayette Street, the Parking Lot at Spring Mill and Harry Street and the Administrative Office Lease which will terminate on August 31, 2011.
March 16, 2011 (Minutes)
Record in the minutes that there was a Special Borough’s Properties meeting on Monday, February 21, 2011 at 6:30 P.M. At the meeting Borough Council discussed what to do with the Borough Hall and Police Station Building, the Verizon Building at 402 Fayette Street, the Parking Lot at Spring Mill and Harry Street and the Administrative Office Lease which will terminate on August 31, 2011.
Borough Council wants the Borough Manager to call the Landlord for an extension and negotiate a longer term for the Administration Office Lease.
August 17, 2011 (Minutes)
(Borough Manager) Mr. Marabella announced that we received an inquiry about leasing the Verizon Building for a Public Charter School. There will be a presentation concerning this proposal on Wednesday, September 7, 2011, at 7:00 P.M.
October 19, 2011 (Minutes)
(Councilman 5th Ward) Mr. Matt Ryan provided an article that indicated that Conshohocken had the lowest office space vacancy rate in the area and suggested that the Borough further research the marketing and sale of the Verizon building.
June 20, 2012 (Minutes)
(Borough Manager) Mr. Marabella announced that he has shown the Verizon building to three developers in the past couple of weeks and the Borough is receiving continued interest in the property.
August 15, 2012 (Minutes)
(Borough Manager) Mr. Marabella announced that he is meeting with developers interested in the Verizon building. Mr. Savona suggested that the Borough meet with Mr. Jerry Nugent of the County Redevelopment Authority to discuss marketing options through the RDA.
September 19, 2012 (Minutes)
(Councilman 1st Ward) Mr. Gupta made a motion to authorize the solicitor to begin working with the Redevelopment Authority to market the Verizon building. Mr. Griffin seconded the motion. (Borough Solicitor) Mr. Savona advised that the initial discussions with the Redevelopment Authority do not require a Council vote. Mr. Gupta and Mr. Griffin withdrew their motions. Council agreed to authorize the Solicitor to begin working with the Redevelopment Authority to market the Verizon building.
Council agreed to authorize the Solicitor to begin working with the Redevelopment Authority to market the Verizon building.
October 17, 2012 (Agenda)
2. Buildings
a. Council will have for consideration awarding the bid to clean up the Verizon building and repair the roof.
b. Council will have for consideration a Cooperative Agreement with the Redevelopment Authority for the Verizon building.
October 17, 2012 (Minutes)
(Councilman 6th Ward) Mr. Stokley made a motion to award the bid for $20,460 to clean up the Verizon building and repair the roof. Council members requested to move this item to the Workshop. Mr. Stokley withdrew his motion and Council agreed to move the discussion to Workshop.
(Councilman 1st Ward) Mr. Gupta made a motion to move forward with a Cooperative Agreement with the Redevelopment Authority to market the Verizon building. Ms. Barton seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Mr. McConnell who was absent. Motion passed.
November 28, 2012 (Agenda)
2. Buildings
a. Council will have for consideration a Redevelopment Authority Cooperative Agreement for the Verizon building.
November 28, 2012 (Minutes)
(Councilman 2nd Ward) Mr. Griffin made a motion to approve a Cooperative Agreement with the Redevelopment Authority to market the Verizon building. Mr. Gupta seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion passed.
December 19, 2012 (Minutes)
(Councilman 1st Ward) Mr. Gupta made a motion to authorize the Staff to file for a Capital Budget Request for the Verizon Building. Mr. Stokley seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Mr. Ryan who was absent. Motion passed.
June 19, 2013 (Agenda)
2. Buildings
a. Council will have for consideration authorizing the Redevelopment Authority to advertise an RFP for the Verizon Building and the Redevelopment Authority’s properties.
MTTC Insert – RFP was issued.
MTTC Insert – July 3rd, walk through was held.