The current design plans for the new Hermiston City Hall received positive reviews Monday night from the Hermiston City Council.
City Manager Byron Smith presented the council with an overview of the plans during Monday’s meeting.
The $9.6 million city hall will have a main floor, upper floor and basement area. Smith said the main level will be laid out similarly to the current city hall with finance and customer service in one area. The main level will also be home to the council chambers and Hermiston Municipal Court.
Administration personnel will be on the upper floor which will also include a conference room, the building and planning departments, as well as space for future expansion.
“We know we’re not going to build another city hall for a long time,” said Smith.
The basement will include offices for county officials, as well as the health department and drug and alcohol treatment services. There will also be space for lease to other agencies, said Smith.
The main entrance to the city hall will include a canopy with design features to look something like irrigation pivots to reflect the city’s ag-based economy.
And while the designs are not complete, Smith said they are far enough along that any significant changes to the interior will likely have an impact on the exterior design.
“It is likely not to change a lot from here on out,” Smith said.
The materials for the exterior have not yet been selected, but Smith said the city hall’s look will be similar to the look of the library across the street, which will also get a renovation.
Smith expects bids to go out in October and come back to the city in November with construction beginning by the end of the year or the first of next year.
“I’m really pleased with what (the architects) have come up with,” said Smith.
Councilor Roy Barron said it will be a great addition to the downtown area, and Smith agreed.
“I think it makes a great statement that the city cares about downtown,” he said.
Monday’s meeting was held at the Hermiston Community Center and streamed live. The full meeting can be seen on the city’s YouTube page.
