LWA OFFICE UPGRADE
To see an animated view of the proposed office building click here.
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History
When the LWA came into existence in 1989, there were two employees and approximately 470 customers who had water service only.
Today, the LWA has eight employees and serves 1365 customers with water and wastewater service.
Our small office at 209 Lakengren Drive has served us well and met our needs in the past; however, as the LWA responsibility has grown, our need for more space including records storage, work areas, and a larger meeting room has increased dramatically. Our current office is not handicapped accessible and does not meet the requirements of the ADA, the American Disabilities Act.
Some citizens have suggested that the LWA should renovate the existing structure instead of building a new building. After hiring Brightman and Mitchell, an architectural group from Kettering, OH, it was determined that renovation costs would exceed the building of a new office building.
The need for an office upgrade has been studied since the late 1990’s and now the LWA Board of Trustees has decided to work to meet the current and future needs of the LWA.
In the process of setting plans to accomplish this new facility, the LPOA Board of Trustees expressed an interest in joining us in this endeavor. Together we have been working to create a building that will be a community resource. A lease agreement has been reached between the LWA and LPOA.
Negotiations
Both boards have been in negotiations for the past few months, working to provide more and efficient office space for both entities. The location, size, and lease of the office space have all been resolved. These negotiations went very well as both negotiating teams worked together to achieve an agreement. These talks have ushered in a new era of good feelings between both boards. Both boards signed the lease on Monday, February 11, 2008 at the LPOA Board Meeting. What follows is some basic information about the project.
The Agreement
The LWA will build and own the new office building and the LPOA will lease office space from the LWA for the next thirty years at a reduced rate. The new office will be built on lots 9 & 10, the current truck parking lot, near the guard shack at the exit of Lakengren Drive to State Route 732.
This project will solve problems faced by both boards. It will be on a single floor with no steps to climb, making entrance easily accessible to the elderly as well as wheel chair bound citizens. Anyone who builds a new home or buys an existing one will be able to meet with both organizations at the same location to get pertinent information needed to become a member of the Lakengren community.
By building the office outside of the perimeter of Lakengren’s gated area, our vendors, customers outside Lakengren, and guests can do business without entering the community through the front gate. This location will give even more support to recent security investments made by the LPOA Board of Trustees.
The financing of the office building will be acquired through a local bank for a ten year period.
An area of the new office will be made available for community purposes. A multi-purpose room will be available for the meetings of Lakengren committees and social groups. This will be a WIN-WIN-WIN for the LWA/LPOA/and the Lakengren community.
Both boards are trying to look ahead, planning for years down the road.
Informational Meeting
This new community resource was discussed more in detail at two informational meetings held on Thursday, March 6th, 2008 at the Lodge.
Susan Schepis from Key Engineering was the LWA’s financial consultant on the project. She was available to explain how the project will be financed.
Jim Mitchell from Brightman and Mitchell Architects, Inc., the LWA architect for the office project, was also in attendance. He presented a slide show of the proposed building and was available to answer questions. Click on one of the options below to view the slideshow he presented:
Office Slideshow in Microsoft PowerPoint Format (10mb)
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Click here to Download PowerPoint Viewer 2007 (Microsoft Office PowerPoint Viewer 2007 lets you view full-featured presentations created in PowerPoint 97 and later versions.)
Office Slideshow in Quicktime MPG Format (38mb)
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You can view the site layout and floor plan for the new office facility by clicking on one of the images below:
Bid Opening
On Tuesday, June 17, the LWA Board of Trustees opened bids for the office upgrade. Brumbaugh Construction of Arcanum, Ohio, was the low bidder and that bid was accepted by the LWA BOT later that day.
Brumbaugh Construction has done some major work in Lakengren recently, completing the spillway at the dam and the LWA water treatment plant on Paint Creek Road. The LWA BOT looks forward to working with Brumbaugh on the new office. Once completed, the office will be a community resource that benefits the citizens of Lakengren.
LWA Ceremonial Groundbreaking
On June 22, at 4:30 in the afternoon, approximately 20 people attended the LWA Ceremonial Groundbreaking at lots 8, 9 and 10 , where the new office will be built. Representatives from the LWA, LPOA, Brightman and Mitchell, and Brumbaugh Construction attended the ceremony. John Moore, Gasper Township Trustee, Ron McGuire, Democratic candidate for Preble County Commissioner, and Logan, the Lakengren dragon mascot, were also in attendance.
LWA Chairman Terry Parks gave a brief historical background on the events leading up to the finalization of the plans for the office and the agreement with the LPOA for a 30 year lease of office space.
The project is financed by Chase Bank.
Lakengren residents are encouraged to watch the progress as completion nears in the next few months. There will be an open house for Lakengren citizens after the LWA and LPOA move into the new building, sometime after January 2009.
You can click on the icons below to view photos from the ceremonial groundbreaking:
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Photos of the Construction in Progress:
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More Lakengren Sites:
