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Blue Building could house police and fire
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The fate of the Blue Building is still up in the air after a meeting last week ended without a final decision from new city board members about what should be done — restore it, or sell it.Meeting to discuss the situation for the first time since taking office last month were Building and Grounds Committee members Ben Newman, Ken Smith and Jimmy Bonner. The Blue Building has been vacant since 2009.“I’ve heard a lot of people say the police department needs a place, so fix the Blue Building and put them in there,” said Newman. “Ken, what are your thoughts on the Blue Building and where to go with it?”Smith says he has been looking at the city’s capital improvement plans, which includes items such as Park Theatre, street paving, relocating McMinnville Police Department, renovation or relocation of McMinnville Fire Department, and trying to figure out a way to fund them.“I certainly believe the main part of the Blue Building, from a historical standpoint, if it can be renovated at a reasonable cost, needs to be saved.