Replacing Greensburg’s public works garage will take a bit longer than expected as officials continue to assess the damage from the October fire that destroyed the building and much of the equipment inside.

City council had planned to begin the search for an architect to design a replacement garage next week, but now will postpone the search by a month. Insurance company representatives and engineers still are assessing the damage at the South Urania Ave. site, said Greensburg Public Works Director Tom Bell.

“It’s not anybody’s fault, it’s just the way things go, I guess,” he said.

Engineers this week examined the concrete pad on which the old garage was built. They’re working to determine whether the pad is structurally sound enough to build a new garage on, or whether it will need to be dug up and replaced, Bell said.

Results are expected soon.

“That is the last thing we need before we can get out and get the architects,” Bell said.

The city’s insurance will pay for the design work, which will determine the cost of building a new garage equivalent to the old one on the existing site.

However, the city is considering building a larger garage, possibly on a different location. The city’s fleet of equipment was outgrowing the old space, Bell said.

Insurance would pay the cost of replacing the old garage, but any additional expenses associated with a larger building would be the city’s responsibility.

Bell said officials need to see the cost estimate for a straightforward replacement before making any decisions.

“We still need a firm number, and then we’ll go from there,” he said.

The fire-ravaged garage has been demolished.

The city is leasing a building on Clark Street to hold some of its equipment. A storage building behind City Hall is holding the rest and serving as staff headquarters, while the city’s mechanics are working out of a garage near Mt. Odin Golf Course.

“We’re working out of three different places,” Bell said.

The Oct. 12 fire started in the city’s street sweeper.

The sweeper, three dump trucks, a front loader, skid steer and pump truck were destroyed.

The city is working to replace the lost equipment. Council approved leasing one truck, buying two more, and buying a skid steer.

In the meantime, the city borrowed trucks from private companies to bring its fleet up to full strength for the winter.

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