Mallette Hall Revamp Could Cost Boro $15 Million

The Borough Council learned on Wednesday that it could cost up to $15.5 million to to use as a new municipal building.

The mayor and council received an overview of a report by the the feasibility of converting the 60,000 square-foot Mallette Hall into a newborough hall.

"I consider this a worst-case analysis," said Mayor Gerald Tarantolo, picking up the architect's report.

Some of the biggest "drivers," according to architect Kevin Settembrino, whom the council approved to perform the analysis for $17,000 in August, include:

• New HVAC system: $1.7 million
• New electrical system: $300,000-$500,000
• Interior renovation: $4.6 million ($75 per square foot)

The two-story building would also require new windows along a portion of the structure, retopping of the 200,000 square-foot parking lot and a new interior sprinkler system.

Settembrino pointed out that some of the costs would be recouped down the road as the borough benefitted from the addition of alternative energy sources. A new roof would support the addition of solar panels -- at a cost of $1 million -- but the payoff would be free power to the building and revenue from the sale of excess generated.

Mallette Hall does not have access to the geo-thermal well field that sits nearby. Settembrino said the new HVAC system could tap into the heating and cooling source and "substantially reduce operating costs."

The $15 million price tag does not include items such as furniture and technology required by the borough's police department, like radio equipment.

A committee will work towards finalizing Settembrino's report so that the council can formally accept it at its next meeting on Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Mayor Gerald Tarantolo has made it clear that he thinksfrom the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority, which he justifies with the costs Eatontown occurred for decades educating students from the fort.

Eatontown commissioned an analysis of municipal space in 2005, performed by Settembrino, which determined that 47,000 square feet would be optimum to house borough departments.

"Over $15 million because we need a little space seems like an outrageous number," said Councilman Dennis Connelly, who has been opposed to the project.

"The Lions are going to have to sell a lot of pancakes," said Council President Anthony Talerico, who added that there are a "large number of costs that can't be ignored."

"This could be a great opportunity," continued Talerico, "but we still need $15 million."