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During a past city council meeting, a consultant offered an aerial rendering of what a planned city hall footprint could entail on a property within the boundaries of Broadway, Main Street, Seventh Street and Avenue J. File photo
The Marble Falls Eco- nomic Development Corporation (EDC) will offer funds for the city’s effort towards a new city hall facility.
"The city received a proposal from Stantec that will assess publicly-owned properties in the downtown area for the best location for a new city hall as well as nearby redevelopment opportunities," Marble Falls EDC Execu- tive Director Fletcher stat ed. “They asked us to fund up to half of the cost of the study."
The current city hall, housing the bulk of city offices, is at 800 Third St., adjacent to US 281. Prior to housing city hall, the building was a bank in the 1950s.
“If the full scope of the study was limited to identification of the best site for city hall, I don’t think the EDC would be participating – but we are very interested in other development/redevelopment opportunities, especially as they pertain to property the EDC is buying (Dec. 12) from the Jenkins family that is adjacent to one of the tracts the city owns,” Fletcher stated.
The cost of the study is $135,000, plus $3,000 for expenses.
EDC funds derive from sales tax receipts. The EDC budget is approved each year by Marble Falls City Council. EDC board members, who must live within a 10-mile radius of the city of Marble Falls, are appointed by the city council.
“[T]he (EDC) board approved the city’s request to fund half of the cost of the study at their monthly board meeting last week,” he continued. “The funds will be allocated from fund balance and will be earmarked to our consulting services line item during our mid-year budget amendment process.”
Officials who have consulted with Marble Falls City Council members about possible design estimated the cost could range from $400 to $600 per square foot. A 25,000-square ft. facility could cost as much as $12 million or more at $500 per square foot. The aim is for the city hall to combine most of the city offices, which are divided among a number of buildings. Offices off-site of the city hall location on Third Street include Development Services and the Parks and Recreation Department.
“I think it’s important for the city and EDC to work together on ensuring the highest and best uses of property, especially if we can achieve creative solutions that serve a variety of purposes,” Fletcher stated.
In 2024, the municipality expects to present a potential $12$15 million bond election to the voters to determine taking on debt for the construction of the new city hall facility.