HUMBOLDT — A century ago Humboldt’s new City Hall, on the southeast corner of Seventh and Bridge streets, was as spiffy as they come.
City staff eagerly availed themselves of the offices; police officers, in long, dark coats and shiny badges, took up residence in the rear of the building. A water spigot, attached to a hose held aloft by an enabling pipe, filled tanks aboard horse-drawn wagons.
Monday night City Administrator Cole Herder asked council members to come up with ideas for what could be done with the building that for the past few years has served as little more than a display case for a monument company.
The building now sits vacant, save for cramped quarters in the rear for ambulance attendants and their truck, crammed into a parking garage.
Though recently cleaned, the building still smells musty mostly because of old carpets, Herder said.
Citizens have begged for a community building for years. It could become that, Herder said, if major repairs were performed, including to its plumbing, roof, and basement as well as making it handicap-accessible.
Herder said it could be a site for start-up businesses if they were willing to share one reception area. Other amenities, such as a single conference room, might be shared, as well as office equipment. Herder welcomed ideas.
Herder said he has fielded several inquiries about Humboldt, “more than we’ve had in some time.” Herder has been working with the countywide economic development group, under auspices of Thrive Allen County. Without being specific, he said one prospect wants to expand its construction business beyond its home base and has looked favorably on Humboldt.
Mayor Nobby Davis said renting the building “has been a money pit for the city.”
Councilwoman Cindy Hollingsworth suggested sprucing it up a bit more, maybe with a little paint, before putting it on the block for potential occupants to see.
Herder urged caution: “I don’t want to go too far too soon.”
And that’s where it was left, until the May 8 meeting, “although you may read something in the newspaper about the construction company before then,” he said.
Old City Hall: Albatross or opportunity?
