Named in honor of a 17-year-old St. Johns student who died in the influenza outbreak of 1918, the Rodney B. Wilson Center once served as a high school, a junior high, an alternative education center and, most recently, as a rentable space used by various community groups.

In 2017 St. Johns Public Schools (SJPS) convened a series of public meetings to engage the community in discussions regarding the possible repurposing of the Wilson Center facilities.

There were two unsuccessful attempts by a developer to secure Low Income Housing Tax Credits to create senior housing, at which time the property reverted back to SJPS.

In May of 2020, SJPS received three bids for the Wilson Center: one from developers Ken and Chris Harris, one from Dymaxion and one from Clinton County.  SJPS rejected the County’s offer because it stipulated SJPS would have to cover the costs to demolish the Wilson Center.  Both SJPS and Clinton County estimates put the demolition costs at nearly $1.8 million, which would have cost SJPS more than the sale of the property.

In Spring 2021, Dymaxion Development won the bid to purchase the Wilson Center property from St. Johns Public Schools. During the bid process, SJPS requested that the developer allow the gym and auditorium to remain public spaces available for community use. Dymaxion agreed to SJPS’s request.  In March 2022, Dymaxion hosted a public open house to discuss the future redevelopment of the property.

Because the property was a school, it was zoned a “municipal center.”  Dymaxion proposed to rezone the property to allow for mixed-use and multi-family development.  Over the next four months, the City Planning Commission held several public meetings on Dymaxion’s rezoning application, including a special City Commission meeting to tour the Wilson Center. As part of the rezoning, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) boundaries were expanded to include the Wilson Center parcel.  This expansion allows the DDA to capture revenue from the new parcel, generating an estimated additional $30,000 annually, which can be used by the DDA to support downtown development.

In July 2022 the City Planning Commission recommended the full City Commission’s approval of Dymaxion’s rezoning application. The City Commission reviewed the proposal and the Planning Commission’s recommendation. After an opportunity for the public to tour the Wilson Center, the City Commission conditionally approved the rezoning application, requiring Dymaxion to develop a minimum of 95 on-street parking spaces.  

Because of the property’s brownfield designation, the developer approached the City asking for a brownfield tax abatement to help fund the asbestos and contaminant cleanup costs. The proposed tax abatement proposal would capture all taxes paid on the property for a specific time and dedicate those monies toward brownfield remediation costs associated with the Wilson Center cleanup and remediation. Those “captured” tax dollars would otherwise be allocated to City of St. Johns operating funds and solid waste program; 911 Emergency Services; Clinton Transit System; St. Johns Schools operating funds and debt service; Briggs District Library; Clinton County tax allocation; State education tax; Streets and Sidewalk improvement program; Act 359 and Clinton County Regional Educational Service Agency operating funds, special education and vocational education programs.

Dymaxion estimated needing $800,000 in tax abatement funds: approximately $550,000 for the clean-up and $250,000 for the brownfield management and financing. If granted the brownfield tax abatement, Dymaxion would secure a loan for the full amount of the brownfield remediation, then use the tax abatement funds to pay back the loan over a 21-year period. Twenty-one years is the estimated amount of time to collect the taxes needed to pay the $800,000 estimated for the abatement.

As an alternative to the brownfield tax abatement, the City began discussing the possibility of purchasing the Wilson Center’s gym and auditorium at a price of $550,000 which would provide Dymaxion funds necessary for the remediation while saving approximately $250,000 in finance charges and preventing the diversion of tax revenues from the City, County, SJPS, library and more. Dymaxion would remain responsible for the entire cost of remediation and clean-up of the site, including any spaces purchased by the City.  

If the sale goes through, the City would own the gym and auditorium, ensuring the space remains available for community use. As part of the City’s plan, the gym and auditorium would be renovated for City programming, and for rental by community organizations and private individuals. The availability for City programming is particularly important because SJPS has stated that both its auditoriums and gyms are regularly at capacity for school activities. Other than the occasional one-time use, the school district does not have available facilities for regular use by any outside group.

Advantages of ownership include the City being able to apply for grant funds that would not be available if the City simply rented the space. Likewise, revenue from gym and auditorium rentals could help expand the use of these spaces by underwriting City staffing dedicated to handling venue marketing and booking the facilities ensuring the community is aware the space is available and being used as often as possible.

Note: At a special meeting on April 4, 2023, the City Commission voted 3-2 to remove the purchase of office space in the Wilson Center from further consideration.  The following information provides background for this portion of the project.

The City of St. Johns’ current office space is located within the Clinton County Courthouse building, across the street from the Wilson Center. When the City moved into the courthouse in 2000, they paid the County $1,067,835 and signed a prepaid, 99-year lease for $1 per year, with the stipulation that if the City moved from the Courthouse, the County would return the $1.06 million to the City.

In 2019, the City took action to “right-size” their space, selling a portion of its office space back to Clinton County for a pro-rated value of $205,024.  The City subsequently earmarked those proceeds for capital purchases. The City now maintains $862,811 in equity which is held by the County until the City vacates its current office space. The equity is fixed, meaning it does not increase in value over time and the City does not earn interest on its equity. As a result, it’s estimated that the value of the $862,811 decreases by $13,000 every year.

While the City owns it space, it’s contractually obligated to pay an annual amount to the County to cover a portion of overhead costs such as security, building maintenance, and other Clinton County operating costs.  The amount is currently $87,000 per year.

To maximize the value of the $862,811 equity and to consider reducing related overhead costs, the City has explored options for new office space to access its equity and reduce its occupancy overhead costs by as much as a half (i.e., $45,000). Over the course of 20 years, through its current arrangement, it’s estimated that the City will lose $260,000 in equity value while also spending $900,000 in overhead beyond what it would in another office setting. In 12 years, alone, the City estimates the annual overhead cost savings would have offset the purchase cost of the new space.

After assessing the available options and opportunities, the City proposed buying an additional space for City offices from Dymaxion for $438,800 in conjunction with the gym and auditorium purchase. The proposed City-owned space at the Wilson Center would have been easily accessible by the public. It represented less square footage than the current space in the County building, while providing a more efficient office layout. The plans included a new City Commission chambers to be designed as a multi-use space that could be available for rent by the community as well, and a kitchen area for dual purpose use for event concessions.

At the Wilson Center, it’s estimated the City would have paid around $45,000 in annual overhead charges – about half of what they currently pay to the County each year for similar services. In 12 years, the City estimates that the costs savings in annual overhead would have offset the purchase cost of the new space.

In addition to the purchase costs of the gym, auditorium and office space, the City estimates renovations to the gym at approximately $400,000, the auditorium at $450,000, and the office space at $1,000,000, as well as $150,000 in other costs for an ADA entrance and limestone work. These rough estimates will be refined by an architect hired to develop detailed construction documents. The City Commission will review a quote for construction documents for the gym and auditorium at its meeting on April 24, 2023. Based on the City Commission’s April 4 vote not to proceed with the purchase of office space in the Wilson Center, detailed cost estimates for that initiative will not be developed.

The City is still negotiating the distribution of responsibility for maintenance costs at the Wilson Center.  This will be established in the condominium documents.  

Special City Commission Meeting - 09/12/2023

Wilson Center Special Meeting Announcement: 9/12/23

When: Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.

Where: St. Johns Police Department, 409 S. Whittemore, St. Johns, MI 48879

Online Access:

Dial 1 929 205 6099

https://zoom.us/j/2050014286

Meeting ID: 205 001 4286

Note: Only in-person attendees will be able to participate in public comment during the meeting. If you're not able to attend in person, please send your questions to csj@stjohnsmi.gov by noon on 9/14.

This informational meeting will include:

• A presentation by the City
• A presentation by Dymaxion (the owner and developer of the Wilson Center property)
• A discussion of the final drafts of the legal documents
• An opportunity for public comments and questions

The following Wilson Center legal documents will be discussed:

• Condominium Bylaws
• Development Agreement
• Master Deed

There will be no formal action taken at this special meeting.

After the meeting, City staff will compile answers to the questions raised at the meeting. This information will be information available on the City’s website by September 26. Those who were not able to attend the meeting in person can submit questions by e-mail to csj@stjohnsmi.gov no later than noon on September 14.

Next Steps

The City Commission will hold another special meeting on Tuesday, October 10^th, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. to consider approving the legal documents to move forward with the Wilson Center project. This meeting will also be held at the St. Johns Police Department located at 409 S. Whittemore, St. Johns, MI 48879.

Update: 09/12/2023 Special Meeting Slides & Zoom Recording Link

Wilson Center - 09-12-2023 special meeting - City's slides

Wilson Center - 09-12-2023 special meeting - Dymaxion's slides

Zoom recording link & passcode:

https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/esWyeSfyRT1252a5hRSh2_NtGj8jXWI3Py6udY1LogP3Bx21uWbuykH7-HtokbAE.JDghH1gTKMqv72P0 

Passcode: h+PpHv6A

Note: the first recording is the 9/12/23 5:30 p.m. meeting, the second recording is the 9/12/23 6:00 p.m. meeting regarding the Wilson Center.

The City's responses to the questions posed during and after the City Commission's special meeting on September 12 are available here. We appreciate all the residents who continue to be engaged in this project!

Special City Commission Meeting – 10/10/23

The purpose of the meeting is to consider approval of agreements related to the Wilson Center project.

When: Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.

Where: St. Johns Police Department, 409 S. Whittemore, St. Johns, MI 48879

Online Access:

Dial 1 929 205 6099

https://zoom.us/j/2050014286

Meeting ID: 205 001 4286

Note: You will not be able to participate in the meeting through Zoom. Only in-person attendants will be able to participate in public comments.

The official meeting notice is available here.

Update: 10/10 City Commission Special Meeting Slides & Zoom Recording Link

Wilson Center - 10-10-2023 special meeting - City's slides

Zoom recording link & passcode:

https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/TgSAyWVyHxVXWh2pqYD9xhEW7tWaelIRREH5QdhXPUHyaAezA-Qd8lxZshjfFbXQ.qUy2OCYVDT4w3hPD 

Passcode: y5H+#cMM

Note: The first recording is the 10/10/23 5:30 p.m. meeting, and the second recording is the 10/10/23 6:00 p.m. meeting regarding the Wilson Center.

Summary of Meeting

At the 10/10 Special Meeting, the City Commission unanimously approved the following documents regarding the Wilson Center project:

• Amendment to the Purchase Agreement, adding the purchase of a community room, kitchen/concessions, and storage area
• Condominium Bylaws
• Development Agreement
• Master Deed

This approval cues Dymaxion to begin remediation work on the building. Pending completion of the work and a successful inspection, the City will take possession of the property in the spring.

In September 2022, after discussion at several public City Commission meetings, the City Commission approved an agreement for the City to purchase the gym, auditorium, and office space from Dymaxion.

In October 2022, the City Commission approved a notice of intent to bond for up to $3.5 million to finance the Wilson Center gym, auditorium and city office space purchase and renovations. This allows the City to bond for a lesser amount, but not an amount above $3.5 million.

In March 2023, the City Commission approved seeking construction document quotes for the gym and auditorium.

In April 2023, per a vote at the Special Meeting, the City Commission voted to no longer proceed with the purchase of office space in the Wilson Center.  Therefore, there will be no detailed cost estimates for the renovation of that portion of the space.

In September 2023, a special meeting was held to discuss the Wilson Center.  This meeting included a presentation by the developer, summary and status of the purchase agreement, considerations and influences of decisions, Wilson Center "By the Numbers", and review of proposed development documents, including the development agreement and master deed (condominium bylaws and subdivision plan).

On October 10, 2023, the City Commission unanimously approved the following documents regarding the Wilson Center project:

• Amendment to the Purchase Agreement, adding the purchase of a community room, kitchen/concessions, and storage area
• Condominium Bylaws
• Development Agreement
• Master Deed

This approval cues Dymaxion to begin remediation work on the building. Pending completion of the work and a successful inspection, the City will take possession of the property in the spring.

At the regular meeting of the City Commission on October 23, 2023, options were presented as to the different funding levels for the entire project costs associated with the buildout of the Wilson Community center.  It was decided at this meeting that a not to exceed cost of $3.0 million would be used in paying for all facets of the initial Wilson Center costs that include; property acquisition, engineering design, bidding services, common space improvement costs and construction costs associated with the buildout of the City’s Unit #1 space (auditorium, gym, community room and concession/kitchen areas).

In December 2023, at a regular meeting, the city commission approved two agreements with Studio Intrigue.  Studio Intrigue has been the shared architect of both the City and 101 W. Cass St., LLC.  Studio Intrigue has worked throughout the planning and preliminary design phase of this project.

The first agreement is for the design and bidding services for the buildout of the common space of the Wilson Center Condominium Development.  The City, as a requirement of the Development Agreement, must hold the contract for design and construction of the Common Space during its original buildout.  The agreement requires that 50% of all costs for renovation of common space elements to be shared, each by the developer and the City. 

The second agreement is for the design and bidding services for the buildout of unit #1 condominium space at the Wilson Center.   As part of the Development Agreement and Master Deed Agreements, the City is required to begin design services for improvements to the gym, auditorium, community room, concession/kitchen area and storage and hallway areas, collectively referred to as the Unit #1 space of the condominium development. 

The City Commission is currently considering whether to move forward with the purchase of the Wilson Center gym and auditorium.

The original scope of the purchase agreement included an option to purchase additional space for City offices, but the City Commission voted 3-2 not to proceed with that element of the project on April 4, 2023.

When Dymaxion bought the property, they requested a brownfield tax abatement from the City. In an effort to preserve the flow of tax dollars from the property, purchasing the Wilson Center’s gym and auditorium was brought up as a possible alternative to the tax abatement. From there, conversations began about purchasing a space for the City offices as well.

The City sees the Wilson Center as an opportunity to add value to the community, not necessarily the solution to a singular problem.

Purchasing the gym and auditorium in the Wilson Center space would:

• Preserve the flow of tax dollars. If the City doesn’t purchase the space, Dymaxion will need a brownfield tax abatement to cover the remediation and clean-up costs of the Wilson Center. If they seek the brownfield tax abatement that would divert an estimated total of $800,000 in tax revenue for approximately 21 years. Those diverted tax dollars would normally be allocated to E-911; City of St. Johns operating funds and solid waste program; Clinton Transit System; St. Johns Schools operating funds and debt service; Briggs District Library; Clinton County tax allocation; State education tax; Streets and Sidewalk improvement program; Act 359 and Clinton County Regional Educational Service Agency operating funds, special education and vocational education programs.
• Maintain public access to the Wilson Center gym and auditorium while expanding opportunities for the public to use those spaces.
• Ensure the City has a say in preserving, renovating and maintaining an historical landmark in Downtown St. Johns.

The City has explored other options for office space, such as purchasing and renovating the Congregational Church, when it was on the market, as well as developing the property adjacent to the Police Department. In the case of the Congregational Church, the space was too large for the City’s needs. When the City originally considered the purchase of the Wilson Center office space, the following benefits were identified:

• Provide the maximum value of the remaining $862,811 the County will pay the City when City offices are relocated from the County Courthouse building.
• Allow the City to relocate their offices at a reasonable cost while still being near the County Courthouse.
• Reduce annual overhead costs from $90,000 to an estimated $45,000.

Purchase Costs

As outlined in the purchase agreement the City signed with Dymaxion in September 2022

• Gym & Auditorium: $550,000
• City Offices: $438,800 (no longer part of the project, per the City Commission’s vote on April 4, 2023)

Estimated Renovation Costs

All projected renovation costs are rough estimates. Gym and auditorium estimates will be refined now that the City Commission has authorized hiring an architect to develop detailed construction documents. The construction document will allow the City to secure actual bids.

• Gym & Auditorium: $850,000 ($400,000 auditorium; $450,000 gym)
• City Office Space: $1,000,000 (no longer part of the project, per the City Commission’s vote on April 4, 2023)
• ADA entrance and limestone work: $150,000

Total Estimated Cost: $1,550,000

(Not including office space and prior to receiving detailed renovation estimates)

The City’s purchase of the gym and auditorium would save City taxpayer dollars in the long term by avoiding a brownfield tax abatement for Dymaxion that would cost an estimated $250,000 more than the City’s purchase offer.

It also ensures the Wilson Center’s gym and auditorium remain public spaces available to the community.  The rentable community spaces will accommodate a variety of uses, including sports, theatrical and musical performances and private events. In addition, the Wilson Center project provides a unique opportunity to preserve one of the City’s most treasured historical landmarks.

The purchase of the office space would have provided the maximum value of the remaining $862,811 the County will pay the City when City offices are relocated from the County Courthouse building. The purchase also had the potential to provide easier access to City offices for residents and close proximity to County offices for the ease of doing business.

St. Johns Public Schools has stated that both their auditoriums and gyms are nearly always in use by the school district. Other than the occasional one-time use, the school district does not have available facilities for regular use by any outside group. This will provide additional space and opportunities to have access to a theater or auditorium, because the others are scheduled out and full.

The following statement has been provided by SJPS Superintendent Mark Palmer:

"Our gyms and auditorium spaces are already rented out by organizations outside of the school district. For gyms, this is typically the youth basketball programs that are not associated with the school district. In the past we had rented out space for an adult league volleyball but it has to be done at one of our country schools. These are not ideal spaces for adults to play volleyball. The bigger gyms in our town schools are really used by our own groups throughout the week. Once the fall starts, we keep all of the gyms pretty well occupied until summertime. Likewise with the auditorium. We have dance companies and typically one-night events that organizations rent out to do a program. However, during the school year these spaces are used on a regular basis by our own people. Adult groups that want to use an auditorium space generally want it for sustained periods of time and they like to have their props and 'stuff' stored on premises. We do not have the capacity for either. From August until June our auditoriums are generally booked up for school functions."

Who uses the facilities at the Wilson Center now?

Most recently, the Wilson Center has been rented for use by the Clinton County RESA, Clinton County Arts Council, St. Johns Youth Baseball Association, St. Johns Youth Athletic Association, Team USA Para Badminton Team, St. Johns Public Schools, St. Joseph Catholic School and numerous St. Johns community members for birthday parties and other private events. The space is regularly used by the Clinton County Arts Council (CCAC) where a variety of groups and shows booked rehearsals and performances nearly every month in 2021 and 2022. To support the continued use of the space, private groups have raised over $100,000 since 2006 to upgrade and renovate the auditorium.

The City of St. Johns Parks and Recreation Department has used the space for adult and youth programming.  The Wilson Center has been home to nerf battles, scooter nights, as well as summer and winter break activities. The Parks and Rec Department also uses the space for volleyball, pickleball, basketball and youth open gym; dance lessons; Zumba; yoga; yearlong basketball skills clinics; volleyball leagues, walking, and adult exercise programming.

As the project moves forward, recommendations will be made to the City Commission after seeking input from the public and all parties that have been involved with the current arts programming at the Wilson Center.

Purchasing the Wilson Center gym and the auditorium for $550,000 replaces Dymaxion’s request for a brownfield tax abatement of $800,000.

A brownfield tax abatement would divert taxes for a period of approximately 21 years from E-911; City of St. Johns operating funds and solid waste program; Clinton Transit System; St. Johns Schools operating funds and debt service; Briggs District Library; Clinton County tax allocation; State education tax; Streets and Sidewalk improvement program; Act 359 and Clinton County Regional Educational Service Agency operating funds, special education and vocational education programs.

It also creates a revenue stream from the spaces and may allow the City to apply for grants that would not otherwise be available to them.

Purchasing the office space would have reduced annual overhead costs and provided the maximum value of the $862,811 the County will pay the City when City offices are relocated from the County Courthouse building.

No. This project will be funded by general obligation bonds and will use the current tax revenue already collected in the general fund to make the bond payments annually. There will not be a debt millage to pay these bonds.

The $3.5 million bond is a “not-to-exceed” amount. The bonds would be used to finance the purchase and renovation costs detailed above.

Because the City office space has been removed from consideration, the purchase cost and estimated renovation costs for the gym and auditorium total $1,550,000. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that the City will bond for the initially estimated $3.5 million.

Yes, the City could use general obligation bond funds on a different project. However, it would not be possible to build a new space that includes a gym and auditorium for the cost of purchasing and renovating the Wilson Center gymnasium and auditorium. The purchase cost and estimated renovation costs for the gym and auditorium total $1,550,000.

The City can’t use the funds for projects that have their own funding source outside the City’s general fund dollars, such as water and sewer infrastructure upgrades.

Absolutely not. By law millage funds can only be used for their intended purpose and must be accounted for and tracked separately from other funding. All City spending is audited by an outside accounting firm annually. Those annual audits can be found here.

State law requires that within six months of the close of each fiscal year local governments publish a complete set of financial statements presented in conformance with generally accepted accounting principles in the USA (GAAP) and audited in conformity with generally accepted auditing standards by a firm of licensed certified public accountants.

The City fiscal year ends on June 30. After the annual audit, a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report is compiled. Annual reports for the most recent and previous fiscal years are available for public review at City Offices or may be viewed online.

Dymaxion has provided an external heat source to heat the gym and auditorium to keep it from falling into disrepair.

As the rest of the spaces will be completely renovated by Dymaxion, investing in continued maintenance doesn’t make financial sense.

Per the purchase agreement, the City could move forward with the gym and auditorium purchase and decide to not purchase the office space. At a Special Meeting on April 4, the City Commission voted to remove the purchase of office space in the Wilson Center from further consideration.

Because the City has a Brownfield Development Authority, if Dymaxion meets all the criteria, they are likely to be eligible for the tax abatement. Due to the costs involved, it is improbable that any developer would buy and build out the Wilson Center without a brownfield tax abatement. The City is in the process of confirming this information.

The City has signed a purchase agreement with Dymaxion agreeing to:

• Purchase the gym and auditorium for $550,000, with an option to purchase the office space for $438,800.
• Deposit $200,000 in escrow as an earnest money deposit after signing the purchase agreement and deposit an additional $350,000 thirty days after agreeing to the Condominium Documents.
• Negotiate Condominium Documents in good faith.

The City has also incurred expenses for architectural work, the negotiation of the Condominium Documents and taxes.

If an agreement on the Condominium Documents can’t be reached and the City has negotiated in good faith, the City can receive a full refund of their $200,000 earnest money deposit. If they have not negotiated in good faith, they forfeit the $200,000 earnest money deposit to Dymaxion.

No. If an agreement can’t be reached to purchase the gym and auditorium, and the City has negotiated in good faith, the City can receive a full refund of their $200,000 earnest money deposit.

If the City signs Condominium Documents without having bids in place, however, they are locked into the purchase. Once the Condominium Documents are agreed upon, the City is required to place the final $350,000 of the purchase price in escrow.

No. Clean-up and remediation of the gym and auditorium is required of Dymaxion prior to the City closing on the property.

No. The City will not close on the building without detailed construction documents that contain more firm cost estimates. The City Commission reviewed quotes for construction documents at its meeting on April 24, 2023.

When faced with the choice between at $800,000 brownfield tax abatement that would divert taxes from a variety of services throughout the area or the purchase of the gym and auditorium for $550,000 with the added potential for annual revenue to the City, the City projects that it is more financially responsible in the long term to complete the purchase.

The City is working diligently to gather detailed financial information about the costs of renovating the gym and auditorium. This information, along with the negotiation of the Condominium Documents, will inform the City Commission’s decision.

There was a typo in the first version of the Wilson Center Financial Summary. Once discovered, the document was updated and publicly released. It is available here.

As this project has been ongoing since 2017, documents with new or updated project information are added to the City website and documents that have outdated information are removed.

As many pieces of the Wilson Center project are still in the discussion phase, there aren’t a lot of details that have been agreed upon.

Because contract negotiations fall under attorney-client privilege, the City Commission may conduct discussions about the Condominium Documents in closed sessions. However, no formal decisions can be made in closed sessions. All votes must be taken in a public forum.

This is still a point of negotiation between the City and Dymaxion. The benefit to the City of paying 50% of the maintenance and upkeep costs would be to ensure that the City will a 50% vote in any decision made about the Center, including the use of space, improvements, aesthetics and maintenance. Anything less opens the possibility for the City to be overruled in any Wilson Center Board decisions.

The Wilson Center as a whole is more space than the City needs. The City does not have the necessary expertise, experience or desire to undertake the required renovations and development of a property like the Wilson Center.

Input from our community is an important part of making our city a great place to live, work and play. Every Commission and Board meeting includes a designated time for public comments where residents can weigh on issues, regardless of whether or not they are on the agenda. The City Commission meets monthly. You can find meeting details, agendas, and minutes here.

Below is a list of some of the public meetings on both Dymaxion and the City’s involvement with the Wilson Center since Dymaxion purchased the property on March 17, 2021.

• March 22, 2022: Dymaxion Development holds a public open house at the Wilson Center to discuss the future redevelopment
• April 13, 2022: City Planning Commission reviews application for property rezoning application and recommends postponing a decision
• June 9, 2022: Special City Commission Meeting to tour Wilson Center with Dymaxion Development.
• July 11, 2022: Regular City Commission Meeting discussing Wilson Center (financial analysis)
• July 13, 2022: City Planning Commission reviews application for property rezoning and recommends approval to the City Commission.
• July 25, 2022: Regular City Commission Meeting – discussing Planning Commission Recommendations – 101 W. Cass Street And 101 W. McConnell Street Re-Zoning
• July 28, 2022: Public Tour of the Wilson Center
• September 16, 2022: Wilson Center walk-thru with community members
• August 8, 2022: Regular City Commission Meeting – discussing Planning Commission Recommendation – 101 W. Cass Street Re-Zoning – Conditional Rezoning Agreement
• September 12, 2022: Regular City Commission Meeting – Purchase Agreement for the gymnasium, auditorium and office space approved
• October 24, 2022: Special City Commission Meeting – discuss the office & commission chamber floor plan for the Wilson Center
• October 24, 2022: [SD27] Regular City Commission Meeting - Resolution Authorizing Publication of Notice of Intent to Issue Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds - #29- 2022 (financing for Wilson Center)
• November 3 & 4, 2022: City Open Houses on Wilson Center redevelopment
• March 7, 2023: Special City Commission Meeting – discuss all options for the Wilson Center
• April 4, 2023: Special City Commission Meeting – Review and determine next steps for Studio Intrigue engagement letter for Wilson Center construction documents

In lieu of speaking during a public comment period, community members are welcome to submit written public comments to the City Clerk or contact City Offices during business hours to share ideas, raise concerns and ask questions.

Using the Wilson Center’s gym and auditorium has been an agenda item for public discussion before the City Commission since 2018. Since then, there have been numerous opportunities for the public to learn about and weigh in on the various Wilson Center proposals that have been considered.

Every Commission and Board meeting includes a designated time for public comments where residents can weigh on issues, regardless of whether or not they are on the agenda. The City Commission meets monthly. You can find meeting details, agendas, and minutes here. Community members are welcome to submit written public comments to the City Clerk, which become part of the meeting records as well.

See the previous question for a list of some of the public meetings on both Dymaxion and the City’s involvement with the Wilson Center since Dymaxion purchased the property on March 17, 2021.

The City does not need, nor is looking for, a larger office space. The proposed City-owned space at the Wilson Center that isn’t rentable by the public would have been fewer square feet than the City’s current space in the County building.

The City of St. Johns offices are located in the Clinton County Courthouse, which is owned by the Clinton County government.

Per the City Commission’s vote at a Special Meeting on April 4, 2023, the City will not be moving its offices to the Wilson Center.

In the short term, there would have been costs associated with the purchase of the space, developing plans and building out the City-owned spaces in the Wilson Center.

In the long term, moving to the Wilson Center had the potential to save the City money by:

• Providing the maximum value of the remaining $862,811 the County will pay the City when City offices are relocated from the County Courthouse building.
• Reducing annual overhead costs for the City’s office space from $90,000 to an estimated $45,000.
• Creating a revenue stream from the rental of the council chamber and other planned public spaces.

The $90,000 the City pays the County covers a percentage of the expenses to maintain and secure the Courthouse, but it also pays a portion of County expenses such as vehicle maintenance, postage, vacation payouts and data processing.

The City anticipates that the $45,000 annual estimate would have covered the same necessary overhead expenses that are currently covered under the $90,000 paid to the County.

In the new space the City would not have been responsible for a portion of County expenses like vehicle maintenance, postage, vacation payouts and data processing, which are currently part of the City’s $90,000 annual overhead costs.

The City has explored other options for office space, such as purchasing and renovating the Congregational Church as well as developing the property adjacent to the Police Department. In the case of the Congregational Church and Federal Mogul building, the properties were too large for the City’s needs.