Item 2: Next Steps in City Hall Space Planning

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The acquisition of 300 Country Club for police services has changed the space footprint required to consolidate a majority of City services located downtown into one site. In addition, it is likely that the City will continue to occupy existing space in the Atrium Building and on the fourth floor of the Library for the foreseeable future. The estimated space need for City Hall is approximately 100,000 square feet depending on what services are located in the facility. The cost projection to build a new City Hall on the existing site ranges from $40 to $50 million. Projections are based on estimated space needs of City functions in a range of consolidation options. Project costs would include demolition of the existing structure and construction of a new building based on a more compact footprint and efficient layout leaving a good portion of the site as open space that could be utilized for future expansion. Ultimately, the level of consolidation will depend upon cost, the benefit derived from collocation of various services, and consideration of how the building can best be used to serve the public. The City Hall Master Plan provides a significant amount of detail that can be used to develop a more structured plan. Although the council had decided that a new City Hall should be built on the existing site, the council also subsequently expressed interest in considering the EWEB Administrative Building site for relocation of City Hall. In May 2009, the council directed staff to send a letter to EWEB to notify them that city officials wish to have first right of refusal for this site if EWEB decides to sell. To-date, the City has not received any information from EWEB regarding their intent to sell the facility. TIMELINE The functional, structural, and safety issues at City Hall require development of a short-term plan and timeline to address these problems. In addition to the seismic vulnerability and deteriorating state of the facility, a primary driver for the replacement of the building is the EWEB steam conversion process currently scheduled to be complete by June 2012 (although that date could change). Staff will begin working on plans to vacate City Hall and relocate in temporary space until a permanent City Hall solution is approved and built. This will address safety concerns while addressing a permanent plan for the site. Funding for the City Hall project is one of several major funding priorities to be considered as part of building a sustainable budget. Consideration of a bond measure for City Hall should take into account other future bond measures such as street bonds, potential new revenue sources, and other funding initiatives proposed within the jurisdiction. If the council adopts the recommended motion, staff will (a) work on plans for the temporary relocation of City Hall functions consistent with EWEB’s planned steam conversion timeline, and (b) return to the council with a concept plan for a new City Hall and a proposed financial strategy. Z:\CMO\2010 Council Agendas\M100908\S1009082.doc