New Prague staff: city is in due diligence on potential city‑hall purchase, renovations could be costly

At the end of the meeting, Director Josh updated the EDA on a potential city‑hall purchase and related renovation needs.

Josh said the city is in due diligence: an appraisal, environmental review and a staff building inspection are underway and staff expect details by the next council meeting. He said the intent was to fund most — if not all — of the purchase from existing city funds and, if possible, avoid borrowing or raising taxes.

Board members asked about renovation costs and future uses for the existing EDA/city facility. Josh cited a prior facility study that listed a roughly $1.2 million general maintenance estimate and said a full renovation aimed at complete conversion could be in the $6 million range; he added another user or purchaser might have a different cost profile depending on proposed uses. Members noted the building’s downtown location makes it attractive for office reuse and that allowing tenants to make build‑out investments could reduce up‑front public cost if the city retained ownership.

No formal action was taken; staff said they will report more concrete numbers after due diligence is complete.