Redmond approves $9 million City Hall project
Redmond is saving a landmark and getting a new City Hall, a project that comes with a hefty $9 million price tag.
“We can save Evergreen and we can turn it into City Hall and not build a new building here,” Redmond Mayor George Endicott said Wednesday.
The historic former Evergreen School building has been empty for almost five years. In 2010, the city decided to buy it after the school vacated the building.
“There’s a great affection and empathy for that building and to save it. Plus, if you look at it, it’s one of the iconic historic buildings of Redmond as well,” Endicott said.
The city tried to sell it to a private company, but could not find a buyer. The 1920s-era building is in dire need of a complete makeover.
“We had always thought about building a new City Hall,” said Heather Richards, the city’s community development director. “The cost of renovating Evergreen is actually less expensive than building a new 35,000-square-foot structure.”
Outgoing city Councilor Ed Onimus was the lone no vote in the council’s 5-1 vote to proceed Tuesday night. He said Wednesday the project is a waste of taxpayer money.
“We have a City Hall. Let’s not spend $9 million on something we already have,” Onimus said.
The current City Hall was built in 1940 as a Safeway, and city officials said it has problems of its own.
When the city bought it 15 years ago, it was meant to be a temporary City Hall site.
“There are some issues with this building, some leaks and things,” Endicott said. ” It’s very expensive to maintain an old building like this.”
The construction firm Skanska was awarded the Evergreen project. City officials hope the new building will create added revenue from the current location.
“It allows us to put this site into the private sector,” Richards said. “So a private company can come in and buy this site, provide this amenity for the community and also increase the tax base.”
Officials are in talks to sell the current City Hall building to a private company. Richards told NewsChannel 21 that the talks involve a family entertainment center.
The new City Hall project is expected to be completed by the end of 2016 or the beginning of 2017.
