The first phase of Pine Plains’ long-awaited plan to design and construct a new Town Hall is set to begin in early January, marking a significant milestone in the effort to modernize municipal facilities. At a meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 11, with the Town Board, representatives from LaBella Associates, the architectural and planning firm selected to oversee the project, outlined the programming phase and its objectives.
“We want to start by evaluating what works and what doesn’t work in the current Town Hall, court and police department,” said Pasquale Marchese, senior project manager at LaBella Associates.
The programming phase, scheduled to start in the second week of January, is expected to take eight to 12 weeks. It includes a detailed walk-through of the current facilities at 3284 Route 199 — including administrative offices, the town court, the police department and a trailer housing the building department and assessor’s office — followed by digital scans to create detailed models.
Using this information, LaBella will compare the existing layout to the town’s needs, determined through interviews with department heads. These interviews will help ensure the new facility, on N. Main Street behind the Bank of Millbrook, addresses operational and budgetary requirements.
“Once we have the building scanned and the drawings set up, we’ll work with you to plan the space utilization,” Marchese told the board. “From there, we’ll create a concept design, including a bubble diagram and eventually a floor plan. Once the floor plan is finalized, we’ll move on to exterior renderings.”
The 6,000-square-foot facility is estimated to cost $4.5 million, or approximately $700 to $750 per square foot. Once a design is approved, construction is expected to take 12 to 15 months.
While funding for the project has yet to be finalized, Marchese told the board that grants may be available and that LaBella will help in identifying and securing them.
The programming phase will culminate in public feedback sessions, allowing residents to review and comment on the proposed designs. “This is your Town Hall, your court — it’s your plan,” Marchese said. “Communication is key. We want to make sure we’re meeting your needs without exceeding your budget.”
The project builds on the Town Board’s unanimous decision in July to select LaBella Associates after a bidding process. During its presentation to the board, LaBella outlined a vision for a building that reflects Pine Plains’ rural character while incorporating necessary and more costly security measures for court and police operations.
Town Supervisor Brian Walsh expressed confidence in LaBella, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the new Town Hall meets the community’s needs and aligns with its values. He noted that public engagement will remain a priority throughout the planning and design process.
