The Stayton City Council is moving forward with development of a new city hall building and could finalize a location and floor plan by the end of the year.
The council voted unanimously Jan. 24 to enter the next phases of development through architectural design firm Mackenzie, of Portland.
These next steps will cost an estimated $64,300, which will be paid from facility reserves budgeted at $680,000.
Councilor Paige Hook acknowledged the large expense, but said completion of development will leave Stayton in a stronger position to seek funds for construction.
“The investment that we’re making right now will help us make some money because we’ll be able to present things for these grant opportunities,” she said.
Many locations into one
Stayton began working with Mackenzie in 2020 to improve the city’s administrative offices, which are currently spread across three out-dated buildings along N. Third Avenue.
A study by Mackenzie recommended replacing these three with a single facility able to comply with all building codes and Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
This first phase of development, which included a community forum, was delayed by the pandemic. Findings were presented to the council Oct. 11, 2021.
Mackenzie’s phase one report included two proposed locations for a new city hall: a parcel between Stayton Public Library and Stayton Community Center; and land by Stayton Community Dog Park. Mackenzie Project Manager Cathy Bowman said these options would simplify site location because the city already owns both properties, though her firm could look into non-city-owned land at the council’s request.
Phases two and three
The council is expected to choose a location after completing phase two of the project, which is now under way and will assess the suitability of potential sites. The third phase will finalize a floor plan based on the selected location and will include projected building costs.
Bowman said there will be another round of public outreach during this third phase to ensure the new building meets the community’s expectations. She said residents will be asked about the curb appeal of buildings already in Stayton, and determine if there are any popular visual elements that could apply to a new city hall.
“Maybe it’s the lighting that they like, or the linear form, or the historic nature of the building, or the brick,” she said.
Bowman said phases two and three could take nine to ten months to complete, and at that point plans will be “construction-ready.”
Is it worth the cost?
Before voting to move forward with development, councilors expressed concerns about the cost of these next phases, particularly an estimated $6,500 for community outreach, and $6,000 for presentations by Mackenzie to the council.
“It seems like an awful lot of money for what we’re going to have in the end,” said Councilor Brian Quigley, who joined the council Jan. 3 after former Councilor Christopher Molin resigned in November 2021.
Bowman said community outreach will include the curb appeal study, and a campaign on social media to reach younger residents. She also said the costs involved with the council presentation include materials related to debriefing.
Mackenzie Director of Architecture Jeff Humphreys added these next phases will flesh out finer details like the placement of doors, stairs, storage space, parking and other elements that could not be addressed without a specific location in mind.
When development is complete, Finance Director Susannah Sbragia said the city can begin strategically planning for how to fund the new building. If a clear cost estimate can be provided before the end of the fiscal year June 30, she said the city can incorporate building costs into the 2022-2023 budget.
