b'Whats Next for City Hall? BY AMY ARRINGTON, CITY MANAGERW e often receive theA Look Back Current Statusquestion, Whats going onIn 2022, the City asked votersTo better understand the with replacing City Hall?to consider approving a bond thatcondition of the existing City I would like to take this opportunitywould fund a new Civic Center.Hall, the City commissioned to provide an update on the projectsThis combined facility designa Comprehensive Building status and outline the next steps. included City Hall, a recreationAssessment earlier this year. The As many residents know, thecenter, and a community gatheringstudy provided valuable insight into future of Normandy Park City Hallspace. While a majority of votersthe buildings remaining lifespan has been a topic of discussion fordid not support the proposal,and the improvements needed to several years. Our current buildingcommunity feedback made it clearensure continued safe operation.was originally constructed in thethat residents were not opposed toThe findings confirmed that, while 1950s as an elementary school anda new facility; they were opposedthe building requires significant later converted into City Hall into the cost of the project. maintenance and upgrades, it can the late 1980s. While it has servedAfter the bond measure failed,continue to serve as City Hall for the the community well, it was neverthe City explored another option,foreseeable future. The estimated intended to function as a modernthe purchase and renovation of ancost to make these improvements municipal facility. As a result, theexisting building to reduce costs.including potential interior and City has been exploring options toUnfortunately, negotiations with theexterior updates to improve ensure that we have a safe, efficient,property owner did not result in anaccessibility, energy efficiency, and functional building that canagreement, and by early 2025, theand overall appearance is continue to serve residents daily. City was again evaluating next steps. approximately $5 million.10 Normandy Park City SceneWinter 2026'