Odessa gets ready for building development

Odessa gets ready for building development

ODESSA--Odessa officials are hopeful that a new $990,000 village complex, which will include a village hall, fire department, community center and a community garden will be up and operational in the early stages of 2023. Odessa Mayor Gerry Messmer said that not only will the new complex better residents' lives through streamlined services and better fire department coverage, but it will also help generate revenue through the community center.
"The fire department efficiency will be enhanced three-fold because they will be able to actually have more organization through better storage, better decontamination, better access to equipment and the quality of life will increase because we will have a modern community complex with a community center and community garden," said Messmer.
Messmer explained the project is currently in the final design stage and it is expected to be bid out to contractors in June.
"We are hoping to be building in August or September at the latest," added Messmer.
One of the key aspects of the new location, which is located at 1928 County Route 15, is the acreage with three buildings already standing.
"The house will become the village hall, one garage will become the community center and another garage, with an addition, will house the fire department," Messmer explained.
By purchasing the already developed property instead of building everything from scratch, Messmer said the village saved millions.
"A new community center priced out with today's insane building costs would cost about $6 million without including the cost for the new land," Messmer stated. "This represents a huge savings for the village by not having to go that route."
Of the $990,000, Messmer said the cost was spread between village reserve funds, grants, and the money that will be gained from selling the old village hall property currently located at 300 East Main St.
"The buildings are already there, we just have to convert them to our use," Messmer said of the development.
The additional acreage also gives the village flexibility going forward.
"We couldn't do social events for the community, but now we have the land to do it," Messmer added.