The city’s gymnastics program will have a new home, and tap fees will get more expensive in 2016 after the Durango City Council approved both Tuesday.
The 11,000-square-foot building on Bodo Drive for the gymnastics program will cost the city about $1.1 million and require about $2.1 million to remodel, according to city documents.
The building will be paid for through dedicated sales tax revenue.
It’s a great deal compared to the $12 million consultants told the city staff they might have to spend to renovate the Mason Center, said Cathy Metz, director of parks and recreation.
“We’re really excited,” she said.
The city will close the deal in March, and renovations will take several months.
But if all goes well, gymnasts could move in during 2016.
The new building was a good fit for the city because it had an open layout with no large posts, and it has a loft where the gymnasts can be watched from above.
The building was previously home to a turf sports facility, where athletes practiced sports like soccer inside.
The future of the park that is now home to the Mason Center will be determined through a public process, Metz said.
The council also approved higher fees to tap into city water and sewer services that apply to new construction.
Water tap fees will be going up about 1.8 percent from $5,733 to $5,835 for a house. Sewer plant investment fees will also be going up about 1.8 percent from $2,023 to $2,059 for a house.
In 2015, the sewer plant fee increased by 30 percent, up from $1,520.
These increases were recommended by a consultant to keep up with inflation, said Mary Beth Miles, assistant to the city manager.
When the new tap fees take effect in January, they will be joined by increased building permit fees and updated building codes, and together they will add to upward pressure on home costs.
“All those costs are going to be passed on,” said Jaaron Mankins, CEO of SilverPick Contracting.
While he does consider a 1 to 2 percent increase for tap fees reasonable, increasing fees doesn’t help achieve the city’s goal of encouraging more affordable housing.
However, the council is planning on major regulation changes to help offset the steady upward drift of home prices.
Reducing parking and height restrictions could be effective tools for encouraging affordable housing, said Councilor Christina Rinderle.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
