New municipal building in store for Indian Shores

A Bay area community prepares for some disruptions, as construction begins on a new municipal center.

According to Indian Shores mayor Jim Lawrence, there have been several additions to the 55-year-old town hall building over the years.

Instead of patching up repairs, Lawrence says it's time for an entirely new facility, which will solve major issues with the current one.

"It has energy problems," says Lawrence. "It has vermin problems. It has mold problems. And there's not enough space there for us to do all the things we want to do for the people of Indian Shores, all the exercise and recreation programs we run here."

The new municipal building will give the town 50 percent more space than it currently has, and is expected to cost $4.2 million, coming mostly from a Penny for Pinellas tax.

Mayor Lawrence says residents may have to endure noise disruptions for a few weeks, while construction crews are operating heavy machinery.

Once the new center is open, possibly by Christmas, the old building is slated to be torn down and turned into a parking lot.