Bristol Releases Project Specifics On City Hall Renovations

By Dean Wright, The Bristol Press

July 12, 2021

Bristol has released project specifics on City Hall renovations, a hazardous building materials report and schematic designs.

According to the architectural project narrative, City Hall was first constructed in 1963 and has had smaller renovations over the years with lighting, layout upgrades and renovations to make the facility compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The building originally was constructed of brick, concrete and concrete masonry units with improvements of gypsum board and drywall.

The project intends to renovate around 60,000 square feet and 570 square feet in a north connector bridge on the third level as well as a 1,700 square foot garage, according to the document. The big pusher of the project is to replace the building’s old mechanical systems and to make it fully ADA compliant. To do so, a 7,100 square foot atrium is being created on the east side of City Hall. A new elevator will also be added from the main entry along with new parking.

The report said the facade of the east side of the building is also anticipated to see improvements to “connect the cityscape of North Main, accessible parking, and a sloping grade with the new main entrance, new plants, ramping, pavers, and other site work.”

Work is intended to be done in one phase with the offices moving to operate out of the old Bristol Courthouse above the police department and the former Webster Bank. According to the report, a third location is being discussed for storage and records needs.

Overall, the project is slated to include around 68,000 feet of renovation and new additions.

An existing mechanical penthouse and screen area are anticipated to be removed on the first floor with one end remaining and to be enclosed to house mechanical systems. The report said that roofing and copings will be removed to the existing concrete roof level. Outside walls on the south, north and west side of the building will be repaired. A drive-thru window is going to be removed from the west side. All windows are also anticipated to be replaced.

The report said that the limestone area will remain on City Hall and is to be powerwashed. The “east elevation” will have its brick facade removed. Inside, the report said “all interior partitions, ceilings, floor finishes and MEP systems will be removed. This is considered a ‘gut’ of the interior with all materials and systems being removed to expose the interior concrete structural slabs and columns.”

Outside walls will then be demolished to open the inside surface of masonry “back-up” to the exterior brick, said the report. Some demolition will take place in stairwells with only drywall guardrails removed. Council chambers will see much of it remain but will have “limited demolition of ceilings, 20% of the wall panels finishes and the seating being removed.