Cost of Embarq building to be presented soon

W. TERRY SMITH

It will be another week before Edgecombe County officials know what it is going to cost to prepare the newly acquired Embarq buildings downtown for use by the county Health Department and county Department of Social Services.

Smith Sinnett Architecture of Raleigh is scheduled to make a presentation to the county Board of Commissioners at its monthly meeting 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4 at the County Administration Building.

The county bought the buildings on Saint James Street and four parking lots in June for $787,000. The buildings have a total tax value of about $4 million.

“It is a real good deal,” said County Manager Lorenzo Carmon. “We paid about $10 a square foot. “Our architect told me of a place in Raleigh that is going to cost $225 per square foot.”

One building is six stories and 59,248 square feet. The other, the original Carolina Telephone Co headquarters, was built in 1912 and with three stories was the town’s first skyscraper. It has 11,520 square feet.

“The use of both buildings is going to change,” Carmon said. “The architects are evaluating the feasibility of making the buildings useable with offices, making sure they meet all codes of a public building.”

One change will be the front entrance, which will be at the rear of the buildings, closer to parking for employees.

The health department has 100 to 125 employees and the Department of Social Services has 110 to 125. Both also have offices in Rocky Mount.

Carmon also is hopeful the county can use some federal funds to make the buildings more energy efficient. The chiller on top of one of the buildings may need repair or replacement, he said.

Also, the county manager is optimistic about obtaining some federal loans at 3 to 5 percent.

“As soon as we have a plan and get the board’s blessing, we will put it out to bid in short order,” Carmon said.

The health department, now at 2909 Main St. in Tarboro, needs more space.

The Department of Social Services, now at 3003 Main St. in Tarboro, is in a building that most people would agree is in disrepair with an antiqued steam heating system.

Text Only