Hill Country Village City Council has asked a team of local architects to return with two separate proposals regarding the final design for a planned new City Hall.

What happened

Meeting Nov. 16, council discussed the outcome of the Nov. 7 special election in which voters approved two measures designed to help fund a new municipal complex, which will replace the existing City Hall/police station at 116 Aspen Lane.

Michelyn Smith, project designer with local firm LPA Design Studios, presented council with a preliminary schedule of required actions that will have to be completed before construction can start on a new City Hall.

According to Smith, a tentative timeline calls for council entering into negotiations with LPA for a full project contract in January. The architects could deliver designs, construction drawings, and firmer cost and schedule estimates between March and July.

If all goes well, the city could occupy the new building in November 2025, Smith said.

Digging deeper

City leaders have so far seen a site plan and conceptual design, which would feature a $4.72 million, 11,512-square-foot structure housing the council chambers/courtroom, a conference room, the police station, the public works department, and more office and storage space for city staff.

The architects said the council chambers/courtroom can also accommodate community events and group activities. The existing City Hall would be demolished, and city employees would work out of temporary office space for the duration of the project.

Responding to council members’ questions, City Attorney Marc Schnall said the city does not need all of the required cash in hand to initiate construction, which Smith said could start as early as September 2024 and last more than one year.

“You’re not required to award the lowest bid, you’re required to award the lowest, most responsible bid,” Schnall told council.