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Williams weighs in on multipurpose building

PHOTO COURTESY D.J. LOCKWOOD
Patchwork repairs of the roof show signs of age on the multipurpose building on Flower Street in Berlin.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Jan. 17, 2019) Going hand-in-hand with a possible YMCA feasibility study related to Berlin Falls park is the potential for a new community center in east Berlin, Mayor Gee Williams said this week.

Leaders of the Berlin Community Improvement Association, or BCIA, which controls the multipurpose building on Flower Street, appear to be close to deciding whether to transfer that property to the town.

Community discussions have been taking place for several months and BCIA leaders and town officials recently met to further discuss details of an agreement.

The building, constructed well over four decades ago, was designed to last 15-20 years and is now said to be in a state of disrepair. The town is interested in building a new community center at the site, which at one time flourished as a hub of community activity.

Williams said the YMCA feasibility study, which the Town Council discussed Monday, could also provide information on whether there’s a need for such services. He added the study would not be site-specific, although the intention certainly appears to be for the “Y’s” services to be based at Berlin Falls on Old Ocean City Boulevard.

Once services are identified and a need determined, Williams said the town would hire a consultant “to advise us where these services should go.” He expects the council will approve the study.

Meanwhile, if the BCIA agrees to transfer the multipurpose building property to the town, Williams said the time could be right for a new community center there. The town set aside money from the sale of the property where a Dollar General site for such a purpose.

“If BCIA wishes to transfer that property … then that would be the location for the community center,” Williams said. “We think that the multipurpose building property is an ideal location. If they for some reason decline, we’ll have to find another location.”

Williams said town officials have been patient and hopeful the BCIA would make the decision that “this is the right thing to do.”

BCIA officials previously said they wanted certain assurances that a new community center would go there, but Williams insisted, “That’s not even an issue.”

“Without that premise, there wouldn’t even be a point to all this,” he said. “That’s our intention [and] that’s the primary reason we’re into these discussions.

“Once they make that decision, we can have a formal legal decision … it’s not going to be based on just a handshake,” he added.

If the transfer occurred, Williams said survey work would have to be done and officials would “make sure that everybody’s property rights would be protected, including the neighbors.”

“That’s our main interest,” Williams said. “If the BCIA determines that they don’t want a community center, then we’d have to look somewhere else. We wouldn’t just forget about [building a community center].”

He said the BCIA would meet again, while town officials would continue to discuss the YMCA survey “to determine that services are needed in this town and can be supported.”

Williams relished the idea of both projects coming together at virtually the same time, comparing it to the sun and moon aligning.

“I’m hoping it means they’re meant to happen now,” he said. “We’ve got an opportunity as a community, if we continue to work together, to do some very significant things not only for the immediate future, but for future generations. I hope we continue to be in that frame of mind and attitude and pride for a long time.”