The Orion Township Board of Trustees heard a citizen’s request from Jim Delavan to put the potential $10 million public safety complex in front of the public.
Members of the board said they were in favor of holding such a public hearing.
Details of the complex, which would be constructed on Joslyn Road, south of Orion Oaks Elementary, were profiled in the Aug. 15 edition of The Review.
‘The citizens have a right to ask questions and express their opinions on whether or not they want this complex put up,? Delavan said.
‘If the public says ‘yes, we need a new fire station, we need a new public works and we need a new police station,? then so be it,? he added, noting it is unclear where all the money for the project will come from.
‘We’re not looking for additional bondage,? Township Supervisor Jerry Dywasuk said, adding that there are surpluses in the Water & Sewer, Fire and Sheriff’s Departments that can cover the costs.
Dywasuk said he would like to incorporate the public hearing into a presentation on the complex.
Resident Lilian Hutchison addressed the board and expressed an interest in having a hearing precede any major presentations.
‘I’m wondering what the public is going to decide if everything is already decided,? she said. ‘If you’re going to have a public hearing, have it before you spend all your money.?
The board did not set a date for a hearing, though much of the direction of the project will likely be decided at next week’s meeting, as a decision is scheduled to be made on Plante & Moran’s CRESA Services.
The CRESA (Corporate Real Estate Service Advisors) group, led by Dave Asker, is vying to serve as the project manager for the complex.
The board approved an architect/engineering proposal by French Associates at their Aug. 6 meeting.
Representatives from CRESA have previously said that their inclusion in the project could save the township over $1 million.
‘I think we need to get an intelligent presentation,? Dywasuk said. ‘We need to have Mr. Asker and his firm lay out what are the pros and cons and the costs.?
Most of the board said they would be in favor of going forward with CRESA as a partner on the complex.
‘My concern is not hiring them,? Trustee Matt Gibb said. ‘My concern is are we, as a township, organized and prepared enough to move forward with the scope of this project??
Trustee John Garlicki presented a motion to move ahead with CRESA, but withdrew it later after some concerns, and expressed an interest in having Asker present to answer questions at the next meeting.