Despite increased costs, Red Bank is moving forward with plans for a new City Hall at 3121 Dayton Pike, next door to the current city hall building.
The board recently voted to approve an amended contract with TWH Architects for the additional $54,460 needed to complete the architectural phase. Originally, the city received a $42,700 grant from the Red Bank/Soddy-Daisy Charitable Foundation for the architectural design, which brings the total cost to $97,160.
City Manager Chris Dorsey said the new $54,460 amount includes approximately $25,000 for the LEED specifications and certification for the project. The new building total construction cost is approximately $1 million and should be built within the next two years, he estimated.
"LEED certification will save us energy costs in the future," said Dorsey. "We would like to be silver LEED-certified."
Red Bank Commissioner Ruth Jeno praised the decision to become LEED-certified. Commissioner Greg Jones echoed that by saying "LEED-certified is the way to go."
He, Jeno and Mayor Monty Millard voted in favor of the additional costs. Commissioners John Roberts and Floy Pierce voted against.
Dorsey said once the new Red Bank City Hall is built, the current city hall will be for the police and courts solely.
"The next phase will be design and approval this summer," said Dorsey. "Then, it's up to the commission on how to proceed."
According to Red Bank Public Works Director Wayne Hamill, TWH is prepping plans and getting ready to go to construction.
The new two-story brick building will total to 5,870 square feet, Hamill said, with the primary entrance and parking in the rear. The building will have two handicapped-accessible rest rooms, court storage and an information technology room. The second floor will house offices for the city manager and their assistant, the finance director, payroll, records, a break room, rest rooms and a conference room.