Richardson City Council and staff held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new building Feb. 8. Council reviewed the design in summer 2024 and approved a construction contract in January.
The details
Construction on the project is expected to begin in March and wrap up in early 2007, according to information found on the city’s website.
The new council chambers, which will be able to hold 170 individuals, will be the focal point for the new facility, Assistant City Manager Charles Goff said in a presentation to council last June. It will also feature an outdoor patio on the second floor and various energy-efficient design elements.
The interior design will draw inspiration from the city’s landscape and history.
The total budget for the project is $91 million, with construction costs at $64 million.
What else?
The new city hall building is part of a larger campus construction project that includes $48 million in renovations to the library. Renovations at the library began in March 2024 and are expected to be completed in early 2026.
The background
In November 2021, voters approved a $22 million bond for renovations to the old city hall; however, a fire occurred in August 2022, City Manager Don Magner said.
“After months of evaluating several different paths forward,” Magner said. “Voters were asked in May of 2023 to decide renovating a 40-plus year old building or constructing a new, contemporary city hall.”
In May 2023, voters approved a bond referendum to build a new facility.
Quote of note
“The new city hall, the renovated library...and the reimagined grounds that we stand on will be an impactful combination of assets in our community for many decades to come,” Magner said.
