Auburn hires architect for community center

AUBURN – The Auburn City Council hired an engineer for a community center planning project.

JEO Architecture worked with the city on a previous push for a community center, where a multi-purpose building was conceptualized. Citizens prioritized a reception space, performing arts, kitchen and indoor play space, as well as a place for meetings and physical therapy.

JEO says schools and Nemaha County Hospital are possible partners.

In 2016, the facility design was centered around a large convention hall to double as sports recreation.

JEO says the design should be for a facility with a combination of functions.

JEO has constructed community centers in Geneva and Hickman.

JEO anticipates that 85 percent of the 3D visualization work and 75 percent of the design work will be done in 2022.

City Councilwoman Katy Billings said the city budgeted $30,000 for the study and the JEO bid came in at $34,000.

In other action, Councilman Rick Janssen was elected council president. 

Councilmen Jeff Jeanneret and Tom Clark were appointed to the street committee, while Katy Billings and Chris Erickson will serve on the budget and finance and the economic development committees.

Names to the parks and pool committee were Ron Jones, Shawn Clark, Troy Wynn, Linda Ellison, Angelo Ligouri, Cori Rademacher and Ben Adams.