Where Should Clearwater's New City Hall Go?

Clearwater is going to need a new City Hall. 

But where to put it?

City officials have intended to replace the nearly 50-year-old city hall structure for years. Some work was done to repair the building’s aging elevator and air conditioning systems years ago; that work was expected to give the facility 10 to 12 more years.

The discussion is prodded along because of a $160 million Clearwater Marine Aquarium expansion plan to redevelop the current City Hall site.

While other options are on the table, it looks like leaders are honing in on costs and what it would take to construct a new facility at the vacant lot the city owns near the Municipal Services Building. 

Officials have said construction could take about 18 months. The estimated cost for the nearly 19,000-square-foot facility could be about $7.5 million. Possible funding could come from Penny for Pinellas in 2017.

However those costs could be less.

A four-story, 24,000-square-foot building resistant to Category 5 winds was built as the Indian Shores Town Hall for about $4.5 million in 2011, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Other options include renovating the nearby Times building, which the city owns. However, officials were skeptical of spending money on the aging building. The site also was purchased with the intent to resell for development as a possible transportation hub.

“I don't want to pour a couple million into a building, then be exiting it in the future for a building we should have built in the first place,” said council member Paul Gibson, who also asked about the option of leasing space.

Bill Horne, city manager, said a lease-option alternative also will be offered.

The idea of reusing a building also was floated by council member Doreen Hock-Dipolito.

She suggested re-purposing South Ward Elementary, which is owned by Pinellas County Schools and has been empty for years, or in April 2014.

“There’s so many opportunities,” she said.

*updated 9:35 a.m. April 4, 2013

If you go:

What: New City Hall Discussion at City Council meeting

When: 6 p.m. Thursday, April 4

Where: City Hall, 112 S Osceola Ave.

Related coverage:

• CMA Expansion Prompts Talk for New City Hall
• City Hall Move for Clearwater Marine Aquarium Plan Could Cost $7.5 Million
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium Eyes City Hall for $160 Million Expansion

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