Town purchases BB&T building, lot

View larger image Timothy W. Darr

Location needs repairs, elevator installed before being used for government offices

By Kim Walter -- kwalter@nvdaily.com

FRONT ROYAL -- The town has formally acquired two properties from BB&T, according to a public notice that Mayor Timothy Darr read at Monday night's Town Council meeting.

After months of negotiations, the town has purchased the old BB&T building at 102 E. Main St., and the parking lot on the corner of Peyton Street and Royal Avenue.
The building, measuring over 15,000 square feet, was purchased for $810,000, and the parking lot cost $300,000.

The combined assessed value in 2011 was $2,081,700, but the town was able to get both properties for $1,110,000.

The building will be used to house town offices, and its size will also "provide the town with the additional space to meet its office space requirements well into the future," according to the notice.

Several repairs will have to be made before any offices can start to move in, however. These include the installation of an elevator, air -conditioner upgrades, roof repairs and any others that are necessary to bring the building up to date and in accordance with current standards and codes.

"The town anticipates utilizing local contractors at every opportunity for this work," the notice says.

The notice states that funding for the purchase and necessary renovations for the building came from an internal loan from the town's electric fund balance, and it will be repaid over the next 10 years. It also says that "this acquisition will not impact our citizens through additional tax increases."

The town will have to wait for bids and contract schedules, but "we're hoping the work will take anywhere from three to six months," said Town Manager Steve Burke.

In other matters Monday night, the Town Council:

• Affirmed on its first reading an ordinance to regulate social media dealing with the town's Facebook and Twitter. The rules would govern postings on the town's social media sites.

• Approved an ordinance to amend and re-enact the regulation of weapons within the town.

• Discussed possible tax decreases, an issue that will be an agenda item for the panel's next work session.