Rebuild City Hall for efficiency, healthy environment, even ADA compliant-- now there's an idea!
Palo Alto Daily News/Bonnie Eslinger, 12/12/11. "Whether
it features an entry plaza with fountain, a garden terrace, solar
panels or a community room that can double as an emergency operations
hub, Atherton's new town center likely will be anything but drab. 
Those
and other elements can be found in the conceptual designs submitted by
two architectural firms competing to plan the center. After presenting
both designs at a community meeting in October, the town posted them
online and has been displaying them inside the councilchambers as well
so residents can give their feedback. Although Wednesday was supposed to the deadline for public comment, the period has been extended to the end of the year, said Council Member Elizabeth Lewis, who chairs a task force created to oversee the project.
In addition to the existing administration center, which was constructed in 1965, the town has offices in several smaller buildings and portables. A study the town did in 2009 found the buildings do not conform to state accessibility requirements and safety codes. "I don't think there's any question in anybody's mind that the existing town center needs to be rebuilt," Lewis said. "It is in a dire state of disrepair."...
"The ultimate cost of the building will be determined by the design, according to town officials. Although the building department has $1.8 million available to get the project started, the town is counting on donations from residents to help pay for the building." Full Article.
Posted by Kathy Meeh
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