Renovations began this week on the new Loomis town hall in a historic building on Taylor Road.

According to Brian Fragiao, director of public works/town engineer, Melnikov Construction was awarded the contract for the remodel of the building formerly owned by the South Placer Municipal Utilities District, located at 3671 Taylor Road. Melnikov submitted the lowest bid of $198,500 for the remodel.

A town staff report stated the project will be completed within 50 days and the funding is provided through the Community Facilities Account.

Longtime Loomis resident Joyce Skellenger is happy town hall is relocating.

“I’ve lived here since 1943 when the bank was there,” Skellenger said.

“I think it’s wonderful. It (town hall) needs to be closer to the middle of things.”

Rick Hirst, of Loomis, said he thinks the move is positive for Taylor Road businesses and said he’d like to see improvements made to other buildings on the street.

Traffic concerns were expressed by Bent Waters, also of Loomis.

“I’m concerned about traffic congestion. I think it will cause parking problems,” Waters said.

Fragiao said his staff “gutted” the building so that new electrical, carpet, cabinets and partitions can be added and entrances and restrooms can be made handicapped accessible.

He also said the exterior of the building will be painted and staff wants to return to its historic colors. Research is being conducted to determine what the colors were.

“It’s a great building. It’s neat to think it was an old bank,” Fragiao said.

Fragiao said town staffers are looking forward to the move, which will make them more centrally located and easier for people to find.

The town purchased the 3,063-square-foot, two-story 1915 building in September 2008 for $500,000 cash. Monez Architecture was hired by the town in April 2009, at a cost of approximately $40,000, to prepare remodel plans and specifications and to put the project out to bid.

Melnikov Construction, located in Sacramento, is family operated and their specialty is cabinetwork, Fragiao said.