Town hall lot officially purchased

(6/12) As of June 2, JR Sports Bar and Restaurant has been officially purchased by Woodsboro to be home of the first official Town Hall. "It’s ours now," Burgess Heath Barnes said.

In 2018, under direction from the former town administration, Woodsboro purchased a lot at 503 S. Main St., which was considered the prime location for an official town hall. Unfortunately for the town, the width of the lot turned out to not be large enough for the fit of the building.

Extensive discussion was held with town officials as well as the project engineer, architect, and the County of Frederick. Following the development of funding requests, the town began researching other options and the owner of the JR Sports Bar and Restaurant, at 605 South Main Street, expressed interest in selling the lot.

The town council jumped at the chance to purchase the lot, which was almost double the size of the original town hall lot location. The new location has also helped eliminate code issues regarding adjustment property. The town signed a contract to purchase the property at the end of April.

Although mostly emptied, the former restaurant still contains some kitchen equipment. A few Town nonprofits including the Woodsboro Volunteer Fire Department and the American Legion have expressed interest in taking a look at any remaining equipment, Barnes said.

The council discussed opening the building for the nonprofit organizations to have a look at any remaining equipment.

Barnes noted the previous owner went to establish another restaurant elsewhere and likely knew what salvable equipment to take.

Before demolition can commence, overhead electrical lines need to be removed and quotes for bids are expected at a later date.

The council approved allowing the Woodsboro Volunteer Fire Department access to the building for training. Representatives from the fire department had told Barnes they seldom get access to an abandoned building for mock fire activity training. The council gave the thumbs up as long as the liability paperwork is all submitted.

As the town’s current town hall trailer, the iconic "Hut" faces demolition, Barnes said with a chuckle that several residents have reached out wishing to give the landmark building a proper send off.

While demolition of the JR’s Sports bar is still weeks away, any goodbye commencement to the building would be a completely non-town sanctioned event, he said.

While the town was ready to go on the construction of a town hall on the original lot at 503 South Main Street, the purchase of JR’s Sports Bar will require the town to start the design of the new town hall from scratch, as the new lot offers much more room for offices and meeting rooms.