Post Falls City Hall remodel gets pushed back

POST FALLS — A $1.2 million remodeling project for the City Hall building has been delayed until this year after additional changes were incorporated into the plans.

The City Council initially approved the project in March 2023, with the renovation work originally slated for last summer and fall following a design phase. A $70,270 professional services agreement was awarded to Spokane-based Bernardo Wills Architects to handle the design.

The 16-year-old City Hall building will undergo extensive interior renovations over a six-month construction period. Funding for the project will come from the city's facilities account.

The planned improvements include removing three underutilized lobby areas, adding a family restroom in the rotunda and enhancing security measures throughout the building to enable better after-hours staff access.

Additionally, the rotunda will receive acoustic and spatial upgrades for improved accessibility. Six new offices will be created for the legal, administrative and finance departments, along with extra workspaces for prosecution support staff.

According to John Beacham, public works director, the remodeling scope expanded, necessitating an adjusted timeline. 

"There are several major elements for the project: the architect for design and construction administration, the general contractor (Dardan Enterprises) for the major work and smaller contracts with a security vendor, audio/visual vendor and furnishings vendor," Beacham said. 

The audio/visuals, security and furnishing vendors have not been finalized.

Dardan Enterprises, the low bidder, is creating the construction schedule, while Bernardo Wills Architects is handling the design aspects.

Minor modifications to the council chambers' layout and minor building repairs are also part of the project. An underutilized space will be converted into a conference room to provide additional meeting facilities.

Some office and workspace changes stem from a 2021 facilities needs assessment that projected an increase in future staffing requirements.

    Post Falls City Hall