Chelsea officials wait for city hall

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, June 15, 2004

Chelsea voters stuck to their old routine last week by casting their ballots at Chelsea Middle School rather than voting at the new Chelsea City Hall.

Despite early estimates of a May opening date, Chelsea city officials must wait a while longer until they move into the new city hall.

Chelsea City Clerk Bob Wanninger said the new building is not ready and he is not sure when it will be. The only estimate for an opening date he has heard recently is the end of June, Wanninger said on Monday.

Chelsea voters went to Chelsea Middle School to vote during last Tuesday’s county and state elections. Voters will also vote at the school during a June 29 run-off election between incumbent county commissioner Jimmy Bice and Jon Parker.

Chelsea is set to open a new city hall and a fire station to serve the southern part of the city.

Mayor Earl Niven Sr. said in February he hoped the city’s administrative offices could move into the new $2 million city hall in May.

Currently, the mayor and city clerk work from offices in the First National Bank building on U.S. Highway 280.

The new, 15,000-square-foot city hall at the corner of county highways 47 and 39 will allow the city to hire additional staff, Niven said. The second floor of the city hall will remain unfinished, allowing for future expansion