DAVIS, OK -- The city of Davis choosing an unconventional solution to structural problems at their city hall--selling the building!
But as Claudia de la Pena reports, not everyone is in favor of the decision to put an historic building on the market.

Over $100,000 dollars have been invested to fix the Davis historic city hall building after a wind storm hit back in 2002. But some city council members say even more needs to be done.

"The wall was starting to deteriorate parts of it has fallen off and the floors were getting uneven unlevel," said Interim City Manager, Tom Graham.

Graham says he feels the building should be sold, and the money used to help build a new city hall.

"If we are going to have to do something anyway, and spend that kind of money, the issue is why not buy a brand new building that we know will not have those issues once it's built," Graham said.

But not everyone in Davis agrees. Edgar Payne lives in the city and says the building has more than historical significance--it holds meaning and memories for many residents.

"It's been there longer then I have been there," Payne said. "To me it is part of Davis. Don't get rid of it, don't sale it just fix it up."

Graham says if they continue remodeling the building it would cost the city about $200,000 dollars to fix it, and the money would come from either the Municipal Authority or funds used by Turner Falls Park.

"If we demolish the building and rebuild where we are at, we are going to have to finance the full amount," Graham said. "If we sell the building, build on a different site the city owns that money can be used toward the new building and we don't have to borrow as much."

Graham says the city attorney has been directed to write a proposed ordinance that will allow them to declare the building surplus property, allowing them to sell it. Once the building is considered surplus, they will put notice in the newspaper giving anybody who opposes the sale 30 days to act.

"At the end of that 30 day period if everything has been made and everything is satisfactory it will go on public auction," said Graham.