Vision 2025 money at work in Collinsville

A new city hall is almost complete in one Tulsa County community. It's been nearly four years since the fire station in Collinsville burned down. Now the Vision 2025 project to rebuild the station

Monday, August 1st 2005, 10:23 am

By: News On 6

A new city hall is almost complete in one Tulsa County community. It's been nearly four years since the fire station in Collinsville burned down. Now the Vision 2025 project to rebuild the station is entering the final stretch.

News on 6 Anchor Craig Day says when you drive down state Highway 20 through Collinsville; you'll see plenty of progress on the old fire station. In 2001, the building was damaged by fire.

Project team leader Bob Wolfram: "The entire interior portion of this actually melted into the ground. People looked at their main street and they wanted this to be kept as an exterior if it is feasible." With $2.3-million in Vision 2025 sales tax money, work began. First to build a new fire station, next to turn the old burned out building into a city hall complex. "Would not have been possible without Vision, it was just not going to happen.â€ Now the project is about 60 percent complete.

The building was built back in 1913. City officials and planners say it's extremely important to keep as much of the original building as possible. Of course there is new metal framing and steel support beams, but much of the old bricks have been salvaged. Those old bricks are being used on the renovation project. Designers also selected new brick that is as close to the original as possible.

Bob Wolfram: "On the outside, you can't really tell it isn't the old brick. And that's what we're doing here." It's also hoped the new life for the old building prompts other development in Collinsville's historic downtown area. Collinsville city manager Pam Polk: "A lot of times it is just the snowball effect. If one thing is going on it brings excitement, and pride to the town, then other things are going to occur."

The new city hall in Collinsville should open by Thanksgiving. When the city hall complex is finished, it will house all city offices, including the city council chambers, which are currently located right across the street.