Former library space to become court, offices Plans call for sharing space with other towns on a fee basis BY LORI ANNE OLIWA Correspondent OCEAN TOWNSHIP - - Ocean Township is moving forward with plans to renovate the 4,000-square-foot space previously occupied by the former library. Work could commence as early as July, according to David R. Kochel, township manager. The library was formerly housed in the first-floor western wing of the municipal building. Under the current plans, the municipal court, which was on the second floor of the western wing, will be moved to the newly renovated space on the first floor once it is completed. The space will fulfill several purposes, since the Township Council and Planning Board meetings will also be held there. "I am excited about the project," Kochel said, adding, "We can best accommodate the public with better access to the meeting room." The second floor will house the Department of Public Works administrative offices, a conference room and file storage areas. Kochel also mentioned that Community Development would be moved to an expanded area once public works is moved to the second floor. Kochel estimated the total scope of the project to be about 8,000 square feet with the two floors and said, "Everything will be completed in phases starting with the old library. As space opens up and departments are relocated, we move on to the next phase." The next step in the process is the solicitation of public bids for the contracting and construction work. "The next step in the process is to go out to bid," stated Kochel. "The council must approve the contractors selected." Architect for the project is BSA + A. Cost projections are not available at the present time, according to Kochel. "The architect is working on those plans, so we don't have any numbers now," he said. Kochel also mentioned that the township is likely to be leasing space to other towns, but that the fee has yet to be determined. "It is likely that we will be leasing space to West Long Branch and they would hold municipal court here," Kochel said, explaining that the arrangement would preclude that borough from having to construct its own municipal court facility. "We are also considering a similar proposal for the municipal court from Interlaken," he added.