Crewe Town Hall To Get Facelift

CREWE, VA, Nov. 22, 2007 — The Town of Crewe, whose officials constantly bemoan the lack of revenue, is preparing to spend tens of thousands of dollars to renovate the interior of town hall.

Town Manager W. Wade Walker told Crewe Town Council during the panel’s monthly meeting last Tuesday night (November 13) that he had received one bid for a lengthy list of interior renovations to the first floor of the building. The estimate did not include renovations on the second floor.

He declined to name the contractor and did not indicate if other bids would be sought or if the bidding process would be announced publicly.

“We need to look professional,” he said. “I’m not sure we do.”

Mr. Walker’s comments soon brought a degree of enthusiasm from council members.

Councilor Sally Wilkerson, council’s fiscal watchdog, said, “We need some updating.”

Councilman Harrison “Skip” Skipwith asked about the aging electrical system in the building. He said it would be a shame to renovate the downstairs of the town hall “and it burn down two weeks later.”

Councilman Eddie Higgins said a professional atmosphere where the public could trust the record-keeping of documents was a need.

Mr. Walker, replying to a question, said that the $38,600 estimate did not include electrical or air-conditioning and heating estimates.
Council voted to go ahead with the project, including electric and air-conditioning and heating, hoping costs can be reduced possibly by a grant.

A committee made up of Mr. Walker and council members, including Mrs. Wilkerson, will attempt to find the money to do the renovations.

No timetable was placed on the panel’s deliberation or the project itself.