Old city hall building bites the dust

With no ceremony and little remembrance, the low-slung flat-topped barn-red building north of the Shell station and across from Bronco Billy's faded into history in a cloud of dust last week.

Most recently, the 1950s-vintage structure had been the home of Habitat for Humanity's ReStore operation. It also served as the anchor for the local T-mobile cell tower. After ReStore relocated, it was the removal of the cell tower that delayed the building's demise. The cell tower is now housed on a portable trailer until its more discrete location in the southeast corner of the lot is ready.

The building had seen a variety of occupants, including an ambulance service, the Sisters Police Department, and Sisters City Hall and council chambers.

City councilors have discussed a variety of potential uses for the city property. Suggestions have included making the site a mini-park; paving and striping the site for an RV parking lot; or selling off the prime location and using the proceeds to buy a larger lot for parking in a less expensive area.

The current plan is to gravel the lot and use it for parking and equipment queuing during the upcoming renovation of Main Avenue.

The newly adopted city parks master plan recommends the lot as a possible location for a mini-park with restrooms. To that end, Community Development Director Pauline Hardie has been tasked to pursue a grant.

The thought is that a mini-park with trees, benches, lawns and restrooms would be a positive addition to the downtown landscape, providing a respite for visitors and welcome draw to the Main Avenue shopping area.