Richardson City Council voted unanimously during the meeting to approve a call for a bond vote during the election, which will be held May 6. During the election, voters will decide on a proposition for a general obligation bond referendum that would raise $46 million in new funds to help pay for the construction of a new City Hall at its current location. The money raised would cover a portion of the costs for a new facility, with the rest of the projected costs expected to be funded by a $16.5 million insurance settlement and more than $22 million in 2021 bond program funding.
A $22.4 million renovation project for City Hall was authorized by voters as part of the 2021 bond election to enhance the building, including restroom renovations and office improvements on the second floor. However, a fire occurred Aug. 22, 2022, on the first floor of City Hall that caused structural and infrastructure damage, forcing Richardson officials to relocate services to other facilities.
If the proposition is approved, no tax rate increase would be associated with the sale of the bond proposition, City Manager Don Magner said.
Magner recommended the nearly $85 million project to build a new City Hall on the same site during a January meeting. If approved, construction on a new City Hall building is scheduled to begin in summer 2024 and is expected to be completed by summer 2026.
Magner said during the January meeting a new City Hall building would provide a number of benefits, including operational savings and talent attraction.
Richardson officials said they are in the process of developing educational information about the City Hall bond election for voters. Updated information on the election can be found online at www.cor.net/cityhallbondelection. In addition, city officials plan to mail a City Hall bond election guide in April to all residential addresses.
