Acquiring the old Teritex building is the first step toward the construction of a community center, Union Mayor Harold Thompson says.

Tuesday, Union City Council unanimously authorized Thompson to accept the transfer of the deed to the property from Boogaloo Folk Life Productions. Thompson said the transfer of the property is the first stage in the development of a community center at the corner of North Pinckney Street and Sharpe Avenue. Once the transfer is complete, the city will move on to the second stage of the project, the demolition of the building.

In exchange for transferring the property to the city, Boogaloo will have the right to use the center to stage its productions. Boogaloo, which produces locally written, directed and performed plays, previously used the old Paradise Home Center on Lakeside Drive for its shows.

Thompson said the projected cost of building the community center is still being determined by the architect designing the facility for the city. He said he believes a final estimate will be available for presentation when council meets with Boogaloo’s board on Aug. 3.

Guns

In other business, council also voted unanimously to authorize the Union Public Safety Department to purchase 15 AR-15 semi-automatic rifles for $13,376. The purchase will be financed with a $12,951 Justice Assistance Grant and $425 in local funds.

Public Safety Director Sam White said that the AR-15s will be placed in the department’s patrol units to supplement the 12-gauge shotguns now in use. White said the guns are necessary because criminals are increasingly gaining access to higher-powered and more sophisticated weaponry. He said the rifles, which have a range of 750 yards compared to the shotguns’ 45 yards, will provide a higher level of public safety and personal protection/effectiveness for patrol officers.

White added that the wider dispersal range pattern of the shotguns’ 9-pellet buckshot load is prone to higher rates of collateral damage. The design and ammunition of the AR-15 increases an officer’s accuracy and reduces the likelihood of non-target hits.

The department will also purchase 15 soft carry cases; 45 25-round extra capacity magazines; and 1 1,000-round case of .233 69-grain ammunition.