District of Squamish staff is evaluating options for the location of the new municipal hall in the community.
The district had issued an Expression of Interest last year as a first step to evaluate options to replace the existing Municipal Hall.
“An expression of interest was the first step in exploring whether a developer could provide the space to accommodate a new facility,” said Rachel Boguski, the district communications manager.
Boguski didn’t say which locations are being reviewed but said the district has received submissions in response to the bid.
According to a real estate update council received in July, the plan for the site locations have been complete.
According to Boguski, no decisions have been made with regards to location or space considerations at this point.
A detailed review of the 48-year-old facility completed during the REF Master Plan found it required substantial upgrades such as a new heating system, a new roof, etc.
Lack of meeting space, outgrown Council Chambers and the need for additional office space as well as an outdated seismic standards were also flagged.
According to the district report presented to council in July, the new municipal hall will be shovel read in three to five years.
Please move the Municipal Hall out of the downtown. Limited parking and limited access to the core of the downtown area are evident.
It’s is unclear what the specific advantages of a downtown location vs a location such as the Brennan Park area are. Also, given the flood hazards of the valley floor and considerations of climate change consequences such as rising sea levels the essential services of the Hall should be protected from the same by their location.
So the essential services need a new home ….. think basically. on results, the community needs a new Government. The service aspect with the new means of doing business would indicate that the building be located on the cheapest land in the Valley. Few walk and talk with the folks in the building in this day and age … so set up high and dry near the Bus route and a parking lot for the employee’s that does not take from the existing inventory. Leave the prime land for the high density group ….. front and centre City Halls are no longer in the calling … few pay at the wicket, even tax’s are going automatic …. oh well hang on for the ride, I just hope the building is a BOX design …. save a few bucks, unlike the Adventure Centre (tilt)