New police, water depts. building highlight Brazil mayor's State of the City speech

During the meeting, the mayor highlighted the city’s achievements of the past year, including the purchase of the former Duke Energy building which will be used for the Brazil Police Department and, possibly, the Water Department office that collects payments. A drive-up window on the building’s East side is a likely addition to make it possible for people to drop off their water payments without getting out of their vehicles. 

He thanked Duke Energy’s Rick Burger for helping negotiate the price of the building down from more than $400,000 to $280,000. The building will add thousands of square feet for use by the city. He said the result will be more professional space for the police department. Renovation is in the works. 

The fire department is expected to use the existing police department space in the lower level of the City Building.

The mayor highlighted the accomplishments of each department and talked about what is being planned for 2018 and beyond, including new sidewalks and curb cuts along a portion of Jackson Street.

He also mentioned the radio stations relocating to Brazil and the renovation of the former junior high school and Davis building on the corner of National Avenue and North Meridian Street into apartments. 

He said residents are expected to begin moving into the buildings by the end of the year and some apartments have already been spoken for. 

Duplexes being built on lots formerly occupied by blighted houses are also expected to be occupied by the end of the year. 

Money from building permits, about $67,000, will be available to use to tear down more blighted homes, the mayor said. 

At the end of his speech, the mayor became slightly emotional as he thanked the many people who prayed, sent cards and letters to him when he went through Stage 4 cancer surgery and radiation treatments. 

“Without their support, the situation might have turnout differently,”