The “ReOpen 2nd Floor” Committee will host a Halloween trick or treat and open house on the second and third floors of Atlantic’s City Hall Saturday, October 31st, from 2:30 – until 4:00 p.m., and from 7:30 until – 9:00 p.m.  Children and adults are invited to wear costumes if they choose, pick a treat and tour portions of City Hall that have been closed to the public for nearly 40 years.

City Hall does not yet have an elevator so visitors should be aware that the only access to the second floor is by stairs. Visitors are not required to go to the second floor to receive a treat though. Saturday’s open house will be the last opportunity for voters to visit City Hall prior to the referendum next week that will determine if the classic auditorium on the second floor will be remodeled and used by the public again.

On Tuesday, November third, citizens of Atlantic will vote on the question of using Local Option Sales Tax to remodel the second and third floors of City Hall, making them available for the public to use again. The remodel project will update the electrical system, add heat and air conditioning to the second and third floors, install an elevator, remodel the former fire department apartments into a conference room, refurbish the classic auditorium that seats up to 300, add restrooms, a serving kitchen and a custodial closet.

The question on the ballot will be, “Shall the City of Atlantic, in Cass County, Iowa, issue its bonds, paid with local option sales tax (LOST) revenue in an amount not exceeding the amount of $875,000 for the purpose of paying for the cost of restoring the historic ballroom/theater and creating a multi-purpose facility on the second and third floors of City Hall?”

Local Option Sales Tax (L.O.S.T.) is the 1% tax on sales that take place locally. L.O.S.T. is to be used for capital improvements, community development or parks and recreation. The City’s average income from L.O.S.T. for the past 10 years has been over $750,000 annually. If the issue is approved, $60,000 would be used each year to repay the $875,000 bond over 30 years. Only 8% of the fund would be needed to repay the bond, leaving 92% of the fund to continue being used for the same purposes it has been in the past. Local option sales tax cannot be increased higher than 1% according to state law so taxes will not be raised to pay for the project.

Potential events the facility might be used for include: meeting space for clubs and community groups, concerts, conferences, corporate meetings, City Council meetings when a large crowd will attend, dances, parties, theatrical productions, political gatherings, weddings and receptions, etc.

Answers to frequently asked questions, other information about the project and a photo gallery of the interior of the building can be found at www.reopen2ndfloor.com.