City Hall Move for Clearwater Marine Aquarium Plan Could Cost $7.5 Million

If voters decide to allow Clearwater Marine Aquarium officials to move forward with a $160 million expansion to redevelop City Hall, where would city leaders meet?

Already council members have said they want to know possible costs to build or renovate and where options for a new City Hall would be before the outcome of the Nov. 5 special election regarding leasing and building on the city's waterfront.

City officials have intended to replace the nearly 50-year-old city hall structure for years. Possible funding could come from Penny for Pinellas in 2017.

“We have always been focused on moving out of this building at some point,” said Bill Horne, city manager. “We are approaching the point where are are going to have to make a decision on a new city hall.”

Leaders will hear about four possibilities including construction of a new $7.5 million facility; renovating the Fire Station 45 building at Pierce Street and Garden Avenue or the Tampa Bay Times building; or sharing space at the Main Library during their work session meeting Monday.

The sites have to meet certain criteria. The current facility is 18,600 square feet including office space and council chambers.

The other is parking. City hall has a 127 spaces out front and 62 spots in the parking lot behind it. Parking needs, based on current code, would be 54-90 spaces, which does not include spaces for chamber and auditorium needs.

Here are how possible locations could be used:

Building a new City Hall could cost $7.5 million. Possible locations for it include the vacant lot at East Avenue and Pierce Street, the Fire Station 45 site, the Times site or the property the aquarium owns on the south side of Osceola Avenue.

Parking is tight at the Pierce Street and East Avenue parcel but the nearby 474-space MSB garage could accommodate evening city council meeting parking needs.

The four floors at Fire Station 45 could be renovated for council space, however parking there would be tight.

The 17,000 square feet of the first floor of the Times building could be renovated including electrical, roof and parking upgrades. The site is the largest of the three being compared and is the best fit considering preliminary assumptions.

Another proposal would be to use a portion of the Main Library.

The 2,394-square-foot meeting room on the first floor would serve as Council Chambers. As part of the plan, library administration and staff all would be on the third floor. The second floor would be used for City Hall occupants. The Equity Services Manager offices at the current City Hall would be moved to Human Resources in this plan. The library has 76 parking spaces. Cost to make these modifications is low, according to officials.

Related coverage:

• Florida Aquarium Official Warns Clearwater: Look Closely at the Numbers
• Poll: Would You Support $160 Million Clearwater Marine Aquarium Plan for City Hall?
• $160 Million Aquarium Plan Needs Clearwater Voter Support First
• Expanded Clearwater Marine Aquarium Could Bring Two Million People Downtown
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium Plans Could Bring Changes to Coachman Park
• What Clearwater’s Saying: Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s $160 Million Expansion
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium Eyes City Hall for $160 Million Expansion
• Downtown Neighbors Track Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s Visitor Impact
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium Opens Downtown Attraction
• Experience A Hurricane at Clearwater Marine Aquarium
• See Winter the Dolphin by Water Ferry
• Winter’s Dolphin Tale Adventure Looks to Grow
• Winter’s ‘Dolphin Tale’ Could Net $5 Billion for Clearwater Area
• Coachman Park Committee Cool With Aquarium Plan for Harborview Center
• Pickles Plus Deal Sours

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