Build new or repair what's old. 42 years old in the case of the Orange County Government Center. Residents weigh in on the "hot" topic at a public hearing. Christian Farrell has more.

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GOSHEN, N.Y. -- There's no shortage of opinion when it comes to the future of the Orange County Government Center in Goshen. A public hearing on the government center's future took place Thursday evening.

"I think it's always very important to get the expressed opinions of the public before any decisions are made," said Orange County Legislator Leigh Benton.

County legislators are currently weighing whether to support a $75 million plan by County Executive Ed Diana to build a new government center. The complex has been closed since September because of flood damage. The other option is renovation. That's a less expensive option favored by Slate Hill resident Dorothy Winner.

"The government center is a good building. I don't want to see it torn down. It has a lot of problems because it hasn't been taken care of over the years and maintained. It's just more cost effective to renovate that building and not build a new one," said Winner.

While the vast majority of voices at this public hearing seem to favor renovation, there has been local support thrown behind building a brand new government center.

That support has been coming from the Orange County Chamber of Commerce.

"We feel for the people of Orange County, the business community feels, the best economic decision to make when you look long turn is to build a new building," said Orange County Chamber President John D'Ambrosio.

The fate of the government center is expected to be decided by the county legislature sometime in May.