Edit: The estimated cost of the DPW garage doors was originally listed incorrectly. The $6,850 estimated cost is correct.

BY PHIL CUSTODIO
Clarkston News Editor
Clarkston’s city hall construction project is wrapping up, with administration staff moving back into the renovated office by the end of this week. City Council, board, and commission meetings will be back in the new city hall starting in February.
The $300,000 renovation of the 43-year-old Artemus M. Pappas Village Hall is $21,000 under budget for work completed so far, said City Manager Jonathan Smith at Monday’s City Council meeting.
Final projects to be completed include paving the driveway, installing security cameras around the building, buying furniture for the office and meeting room, as well as wiring, bathroom work, carpet, security door, counter, and glass, and cabinetry, Smith said.
Work on the DPW garage doors, budgeted at $2,000, has an estimated cost of $6,850 after they were found to need replacement, Smith said.
Council member Scott Reynolds cautioned against spending underbudgeted funds on items not in the original scope of the project.
Smith said all the work will come before the city council for approval.
Administration is working on ways to recognize companies, groups, and individuals who donated to the project, including the Clarkston High School Construction Tech students, Jack Burrow Construction for framing, TNR for dumpsters, Von Horn for concrete, Midwest Illumination for lighting, city DPW for labor, and Clarkston United Methodist Church, which provided meeting space free throughout the project, Smith said.
Ideas include a permanent plaque in the building, as well as recognition in the Clarkston News and other media. An open house in February or March will include formal recognition, he said.
Groundbreaking was on May 16, 2019. The project included a new three-bay garage, eight feet added to the north side of the building, more work space and office for the DPW, new roof, siding, trim, and paint, 688-square-foot meeting room, new security entrance, and public restroom. The city borrowed the $300,000 from its sewer and water budgets, to be repaid at one percent interest. In 2016, the city bid out a city hall renovation and expansion project, but pulled the plug on it when costs came in at more than $600,000. Clarkston previously paid $1,600 a month for its old DPW building at 3 E. Church Street.