The news release said City Council unanimously approved a $378,000 contract on June 13 that includes the design of a parking structure for employees and police vehicles. The parking structure will be on a lot across Texas Street at the south end of city hall.
The overview
Initially, the project involves the second and third floors, which represents approximately 200,000 square feet of space. According to the news release, the renovation includes the following changes:
- 425 employees in the central patrol division, now at facilities at 501 Jones and 1289 Hemphill streets, and a former police and fire training facility at 1000 Calvert St., will move.
- Additionally, staff is considering relocating the police communications division to the building. That move would include 150 employees.
- The lower level of city hall could be programmed for other city functions that would benefit from a downtown location.
According to the news release, council is slated to later amend the contract, adding $1.4 million for construction documents and construction administration services. Based on the scope, the construction and other related costs should total approximately $28.4 million, bringing the project to $30.2 million. Last year, council approved paying for the project from the crime control and prevention district capital projects fund.
Sorting out the details
The news release states the work on the existing city hall will be completed after 22 city departments move to the future city hall, located at 100 Energy Way. That phased process could begin later this year.
An estimated 1,600 city employees are relocating from the existing city hall as well as 14 other city-owned and -leased locations to the future city hall location, according to the news release. Construction on a new City Council chamber and a second parking structure at the future city hall are also anticipated to begin in the coming months.
