OPEN HOUSE . . .
RESILIENCE, CEDAR KEY STYLE
22 FEBRUARY 2024
22 FEBRUARY 2024
On February 22, 2024, the City of Cedar Key celebrated the opening of the newly renovated Community Center now turned City Hall by inviting the public to view the results.
PURPOSE
The event was twofold in purpose:
• to have the public view the changes, locate offices they might need, enjoy and become comfortable with their City Hall; and
• to display the resilient, speedily completed, efficiently coordinated, aesthetic result of moving the City Hall to the different location,
The event was twofold in purpose:
• to have the public view the changes, locate offices they might need, enjoy and become comfortable with their City Hall; and
• to display the resilient, speedily completed, efficiently coordinated, aesthetic result of moving the City Hall to the different location,
BUILDING
At the September 5, 2023, Commission Meeting, five days after Hurricane Idalia hit Cedar Key, commissioners voted unanimously to move City Hall from Second Street to the Cedar Key Community Center site at 809 6th Street because of the hurricane damage to the Hall. At the time, Commissioner Colson remarked that the “…Indians got it right. When threatened, they moved to higher ground.”
At the September 5, 2023, Commission Meeting, five days after Hurricane Idalia hit Cedar Key, commissioners voted unanimously to move City Hall from Second Street to the Cedar Key Community Center site at 809 6th Street because of the hurricane damage to the Hall. At the time, Commissioner Colson remarked that the “…Indians got it right. When threatened, they moved to higher ground.”
Overseen by Fire Chief / Emergency Operations Manager Robert Robinson, the construction / renovation allowed City Hall to remain open throughout. Versatile, agreeable city staff moved from one place to another around the construction teams for months. The result was speedy construction and a City Hall open for business during post-hurricane times when residents urgently needed its services.
The building renovation was entirely paid for by insurance funds, except for approximately $35,000 for flooring and several other essentials.
Prior to this move, storm events required City Hall staff to gather documents, equipment, furniture, and more and transport them to the Community Center. Clean up would ensue. Then, the task of transporting all the materials back to Second Street began. An arduous process, certainly. Colson’s remarks echo: “The Indians did have it right.”
OPEN HOUSE
Approximately one hundred people attended. Some took part in a tour guided by a city staffer; others wandered happily about the facility.
Approximately one hundred people attended. Some took part in a tour guided by a city staffer; others wandered happily about the facility.
Every kind of Cedar Key-ish dips were served with crackers, both clam and mullet. Landlubber dips were also available. Key lime pie, red cake, chocolate pie, cookies and more, satisfied many.
Comments included innumerable “wonderfuls.” Also comments included: “seems so efficient,” “I love the rear door as handicapped assessable,” “color scheme is lovely,” “never seen Jamie in an office before,” “bathrooms are so different than they were, so much nicer,” and more positive remarks.
Comments included innumerable “wonderfuls.” Also comments included: “seems so efficient,” “I love the rear door as handicapped assessable,” “color scheme is lovely,” “never seen Jamie in an office before,” “bathrooms are so different than they were, so much nicer,” and more positive remarks.
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