Dear Editor, The City Hall Project Committee currently consists of three people, of which I am not one. I asked one committee member some of the same questions several concerned citizens have asked in past council meetings. I was told the Committee has the cost of abatement on the current City Hall and a building at the Navarro College – Fairfield Campus. I was informed they have some answers that several citizens have asked for in a “STUDY.” Since I am not a Committee member, I did my own due diligence and research. I asked several questions to various contractors and landowners, and found that land on Hwy 84 and Hwy 75 is selling for approximately $8 to $10 per square foot. A new 5,000 sq. ft. building would cost about $135 per sq. ft. That’s roughly $675,000. Then, add the cost of bullet proof glass, evidence vault, media cable and internet service, and if we move our Visitation Center to City Hall there will have to be a Media Center. Let’s not forget about parking; that adds another acre of land at $8 to $10 a sq. ft., plus it will have to be paved. In my research, I found there are three vacant locations in the City Limits that “might” work on Hwy 84. One has an existing office. Build city hall on the lot next to it, and use the existing structure as a Visitation and Media Center. Now, let’s go back to the Navarro College site… It’s on eleven acres. Granted, we do not need all eleven acres to meet City needs. I inquired with other interested parties about the welding shop, land next to the football field, and the “Old” Operators Building and the few acres next to the park. The land behind the main building could be used as a revenue stream for other concerns. The way I look at this opportunity, the City gets a 14,000 sq. ft. building that has been restored and remodeled, including a new roof AND two acres of ALREADY paved parking, ALL FOR FREE with the purchase of this property. All that is required is adding equipment and security for the Police Department, Media Center and Visitation Center. The math is simple: 2 acres of land X 43,560 sq. ft. per acre at $8 per square foot = $696,960.00 A 5,000 sq. ft. building at $135 per sq. ft. finished cost = $675,000 NOW you have $1,371,960.00. Plus if anyone has ever built, you know there are always overages. So, let’s round that to $1.4 million. The existing Navarro College Campus choice seems obvious to me. James Tyus, Fairfield Councilman, Place 1