| Context. The City Hall is the primary civic focus in a village with retail shops and service businesses that support a town of 35,000 people. Recently, upscale restaurants have expanded the business hours and pedestrian activity in the area, creating a community destination. Common spaces around the City Hall are used for sitting, picnics, and a location for meeting friends.
The shops and businesses were constructed in the 40s and 50s and do not exceed two stories. Stucco, brick, and normal storefront windows create an eclectic urban character well suited for the pedestrian scale of the town. Mature trees and well maintained landscape features add to the small town ambiance.
Program/Scope. The City Hall Renovation process began in 1989 when the City Council decided to remain downtown. Subsequent councils refined the scope of the project to include seismic strengthening, accessibility issues, as well as new wiring, plumbing, and mechanical systems.
The interior of the project was reconfigured to meet the needs of today’s civic functions. For example, the Council Chamber is now located in fire truck bays, the City Manager’s office occupies the former Chamber of Commerce building, and the community meeting room, the Citrus Room, replaces the living quarters of the old fire station.
Budget/Cost. $2,385,123
Special Challenges/Unusual Characteristics. All areas of the building were altered. The front door was relocated to its original location. The interiors were organized to support the City’s open, community spirit. A one-stop information counter makes most of the City’s departments immediately available to visitors. Numerous meeting rooms provide support for over 17 commissions which meet monthly.
To provide access for all members of the community, the five different levels of the original structure were connected with ramps and elevators.
Solution/Design. The access solution was accomplished by building on top of existing floors and creatively providing an “access path” through the ground level floor that was originally four different elevations. To provide for the needs of City staff, contemporary workstations and ergonomic furniture were selected. The old council chamber has been adapted for community meetings and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). In all areas of the building, the architectural intent was to be sensitive to the many styles incorporated in the original structures.
The existing site, an important downtown landmark, was left intact; the existing landscape was improved. Trees and vegetation shade the building in the summer and "heat" the building during winter months, which conserves resources and contributes to the energy efficiency of the community.
With the use of new reconstruction technology, the interior spaces of the City Hall were structurally modified to meet current seismic code requirements. The exterior style of the original building materials was not modified; therefore, the original character of the City Hall was maintained.
Extensive modification of the existing heating, ventilating and electrical systems created an efficient facility which subsequently reduced the need for energy resources. |
