After six community meetings, numerous neighborhood chats and dozens of public meetings over the past 18 months, the Civic Campus Project is now taking shape. At the July open house, ARC Architects presented two concepts including drawings of site plans, lobby layout, main City Hall exterior, and the Council Chambers. The Police Station addition will be designed once there is a clearer concept of the main City Hall component.
Nearly 50 residents attended the open house and participated in a discussion about the positive attributes as well as opportunities to further strengthen each concept. Additionally, attendees asked a number of questions and provided input on building materials, sustainable features, and transparency.
The new approximately 18,000 square foot City Hall will be built on city-owned property located at the northeast corner of the Civic Campus at 232nd Street and 58th Avenue West and approximately 3,100 square foot Police Station addition is included as part of the project.
The concepts are now online at www.cityofmlt.com/1922 and handouts are available at Interim City Hall. The public is encouraged to view the concepts and attend the final open house in mid-October when a new, more refined concept will be presented. In the meantime, ARC Architects will work with the city to discuss the layout of the office areas while incorporating public input for the next open house.
Option A featured a very modern two-story concept constructed of wood, metal and composite materials with sharply pitched roof angles. The office and main entrance face the south side of the Civic Campus and library and the Council Chambers featured a high angular taller building that prominently anchors the building and is located adjacent to the public gathering space.
Option B featured a more traditional suburban concept, also constructed of wood, metal and composite materials. The two-story concept has a City Hall that is taller than the Council Chambers and features a multitude of windows that face south toward the library. The entrance is next to the Council Chambers and faces eastward.
“Thanks to the residents who have regularly attended the meetings and to those who are just getting involved,” stated Community Relations Director Virginia Olsen. “This project has been so rewarding seeing it shaped from beginning to end with input from our community.”
The comments received at the July open house will be taken into consideration to design a brand new concept that incorporates the input provided to date. The city continues to work to identify funding for the Police Station remodel and public gathering space that were not included in the $12.5 million bond that pays for a new City Hall and Police Station addition. Stay tuned for information about the next open house. Please contact Assistant City Manager Stephen Clifton at (425) 744-6209 or sclifton@ci.mlt.wa.us for more information.
###