Workers finally come in from the cold
City workers began moving equipment and other materials into the newly constructed Public Works building on Adkins Drive near the water tower this week.
Curt Buescher, director of Public Works, said the new building, which began construction in September and finished in late January, had been needed for several years since the previous building was demolished years ago.
“We didn’t have storage for any of our utility equipment,” he said.
Buescher said the department had previously been forced to leave most of its equipment outside year-round because it had no space to store it in.
The only place available storage space in was the city garage. However, there was little space available, so the department was only able to use the garage to occasionally fix damaged equipment.
Buescher said the exposure of the equipment to the elements went against the equipment manufacturers’ recommendations.
He was especially concerned about the effects on the city snowplow trucks.
“We didn’t see any problems from the cold, but it didn’t help anything,” he said.
Buescher said these trucks run on diesel fuel and need to be kept in a warm place to make certain they are ready to be used at a moment’s notice.
However, equipment was not the part of the Department of Public Works affected by the lack of space.
Buescher said the new building would allow Public Works personnel to have a place to repair equipment and plan projects away from the cold.
He said even though 75 percent of the time Public Works personnel are working on projects throughout Charleston, this building will allow them a warm place to work when not involved with project.
Another aspect of the new building that may be beneficial is the additional security.
Buescher said a security fence was built around the building protect the city equipment.
“In theory, it’s just a good idea to take good care of your equipment,” Buescher said.
He said the building was funded by the Water Sewer Fund and cost $343,000.
Heather Kuykendall, Charleston comptroller, said this fund comprises money collected from city residents’ water bills.
“The building is like a hub for all of the Public Works services,” Kuykendall said.
She said the money was disbursed from her office to the K. Waltman Construction, the contractors hired to work on the project, after the company won the bidding process used to decide who would oversee the project.
K. Waltman Construction is also the company that is working on the City Hall renovations.
Kuykendall said the money for the project was first labeled for the building when this year’s city budget was first drawn up, though she said Public Works has long wanted the new building.
“They’ve wanted the project for much longer than a year,” she said.
Jordan Crook can be reached at 581-7945 or at jscrook@eiu.edu.
Workers finally come in from the cold
The Charleston Public Works facility just received an addition to the previous building, adding on a new storage garage for city vehicles to be housed away from the weather. (John Bailey/The Daily Eastern News)
