Adam RollinsThe town of Waxahachie will move its city hall renovation project into the design phase after appropriating an additional $5.6 million from the city’s General Fund. The $8.3 million project will fix water issues, add office and flex space, improve security and reprogram existing spaces throughout the building.
The city council adjusted the budget after a preliminary evaluation determined there were unforeseen issues the initial project goals would not address. Waxahachie is 30 miles south of Dallas.
To start the project, the city will demolish the city hall’s early 2000 addition to make room for a 12,000-square-foot, three-story office space. The space will contain the city council chambers, municipal court and support offices. In addition, the city will remodel the building’s 1911 and 1950 additions to install electrical work, HVAC systems, ceilings and interior finishes.
The updated plan includes expanding the building to accommodate future growth. The city will build a third floor “warm white shell” space to provide expansion and flex space. The shell space will lack an intended function, but it will feature basic structural elements, essential utilities and heating that the city can use as needed. The facility will also include an expandable “end wall” design that will offer additional space for future use.
The city will build a parking lot with improved site lighting, providing much needed additional employee and public parking space. The city will also resolve an under-slab water intrusion that has been a problem for the existing structure for years.
The project will improve the building to ensure it is compliant with the latest Building and Energy codes. The city will upgrade the building with low voltage technology, an improved city council chambers audio visual system, access control and a security system. These improvements require lower operation and maintenance costs.
