County sets sights on former public works building

While the dotted lines have yet to be signed, the Kendall County Commissioners Court announced its sights are set on the former Boerne Public Works building once promised to a local nonprofit.

During a budget workshop Wednesday, County Judge Shane Stolarczyk said the county has been in negotiations with city officials to buy the building at 400 E.

Blanco Road for just shy of $1.85 million.

“We know we need the space, and many of us have had an opportunity to look at this building,” Stolarczyk said. “I think the price it’s being offered for is a huge tax savings to the citizens. We know what Boerne property costs nowadays, and what the city is offering it to us as is a significant discount.”

The former municipal utility site was the first landing pad for Das Greenhaus – a nonprofit business incubator born from the Boerne Kendall County Economic Development Corp.’s long-range plan – but the nonprofit’s founders realized the building needed significant repairs and cosmetic updates.

An agreement between Das Greenhaus and Boerne officials was inked last year which required the nonprofit to make at least $500,000 in improvements to the building in its first two years at the location.

However, when an initial inspection of the former city hub revealed renovations would run roughly $1.3 million, Das Greenhaus leaders sought a new home for the startup – eventually moving to a turn-key property at 7 Upper Balcones Road.

This left the property up for grabs – something county officials wasted little time taking advantage of.

“It’s unfortunate that it didn’t work out for Das Greenhaus, but it works out for us,” Precinct 2 Commissioner Andra Wisian said. “It’s close in proximity (to the Kendall County Courthouse), and it doesn’t seem like it needs a lot of work for what we need. So, I think it’s a good thing.”

Das Greenhaus Treasurer Justin McKenzie explained an investigation into renovation costs of the building showed a $563,631 cost to update only the HVAC, mechanical, electrical and plumbing work in the dated structure.

That estimate would rack the county’s costs up to nearly $2.41 million to fix the issues identified during the commissioners court meeting Wednesday, including the purchase cost.

Further, McKenzie said that price didn’t include changes to the bathrooms or the addition of ramps or other structural alterations to meet Americans with Disabilities Act or Boerne permitting requirements – something that could potentially increase the county cost as well.

However, county commissioners seem to have downplayed the renovations needed.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Richard Chapman said city staffers recently oversaw minor roof repairs to the city structure, so he suggested starting with mechanical repairs.

“Before we get too far involved in this, we really need to come up with a layout,” Chapman said.

Stolarczyk noted the structure will require some air conditioning and plumbing work, but he said county dollars are available and ready to mitigate those issues.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Christina Bergmann expressed hope that any upfront construction costs could be kept low, but she also acknowledged the continued need for more space for county staffers.

“I know I’ve been talking about space for years,” Bergmann said. “Fortunately, we are able to look at this building and purchase it. As it was stated, there wasn’t a whole lot to cosmetic wise to get it in. So, the sooner that we can get it up and running and get some departments moved around and free up some space here to increase departments, I think it’s beneficial to everyone as well as the citizens coming in.”

While it’s unclear exactly which departments might move into the building should the county get its way, Precinct 4 Commissioner Chad Carpenter said county staff may be facing many more development items after the commissioners are done refreshing its extra-territorial jurisdiction agreement with the city.

The interlocal agreement guiding development on Boerne’s fringes between the city and Kendall County is in a holding pattern as commissioners seek to have more control over urban spread.

The accord between Boerne and the county covering growth in the city’s ETJ – the 1-mile buffer around the city limits subject to annexation by the city – was first signed in 2007 with regular renewals in the 15 years since.

Carpenter’s sentiments were met with agreement from Bergmann who said parking concerns at the courthouse could also be quelled by moving the development management department to the potential new county office.

“I think this is a good move because this is a hard asset for the county,” Stolarczyk said, closing out the conversation. “This is an investment. It’s significantly cheaper than starting from scratch on a new building. As we know, the escalating prices with some of our ongoing new project that this a no-brainer. Down the road, we can always turn around and sell if it’s not working out for us and recoup our investment.”

Over the past month, Boerne City Council agendas included a mysterious executive session agenda item over the potential sale of the Blanco Road property. It’s now clear the item was referencing discussions between county and city officials over the sale.

“The City of Boerne continues to work with the Kendall County Commissioners Court regarding their purchase of the old Public Works Building located at 402 E. Blanco Road, which is being marketed at full appraised value,” Boerne Communications Director Chris Shadrock told The Star. “We appreciate being able to work with our partners at Kendall County and are glad the building will continue to serve the public and our community.”