New village hall represents Volo's evolution

In 1993, the village of Volo conducted business out of a small storefront that was used part time as a rug and drapery storage room.

"We had one employee when we first got it. She was in there working with the rugs around her," Volo Mayor Burnell Russell said. "It's easy to see why this new building is one of the most important steps in the town's history."

Starting Tuesday, the latest phase of evolution of Volo will open to the public. Residents can attend an open house from 9 a.m. to noon May 17.

The new village hall, at the corner of Route 60 and Fish Lake Road, is an expansive, 15,500-square-foot, three-story building.

But for Russell, the significance of the new building goes beyond the new woodwork, carpeting and furniture.

It's the next piece of a puzzle that was started five years ago and should be finished in 2013.

"When we were open land five years ago, we asked all the property owners to pitch in to help create a comprehensive plan," he said. "We are simply following that plan now."

He said the new village hall was one small but significant piece of that larger plan.

Eventually, he said, the village will be 50 percent residential, 40 percent commercial and 10 percent open space.

When completely built out, the village will have about 8,500 residents and 260 businesses. Currently, the village has 1,616 residents and 60 businesses, he said.

"We should be built out residentially in 2013 or 2014," he said. "And, after the first main retail development comes in, the other business should follow quickly."

He said the first main retail development, the Volo Marketplace on Route 12, is expected to break ground in the fall and be completed in 2009.

"Honestly, we've had good people, good planners, good engineers and a good attorney that has helped us get to this point," he said. "This village hall is just the next step in a long line of steps that we are taking."

For now, he's simply admiring the direction the town is moving, and is content that the $2.4 million village hall will be ready on time and under budget. The project was funded by developer impact fees.

"We wanted to get it all done as fast as we can, and it looks like we are moving forward with it," he said. "It's just a fantastic building and we are extremely happy it's almost done."