Punta Gorda City Council got sticker shock Dec. 4 when they learned that a new City Hall building with a design chosen by former council members would cost close to $16 million.
Julian Norman-Webb P.A., representing the architecture and engineering firm Goodwyn Mills Cawood, presided over a slide presentation showing three options, of which the third and most costly came in at an estimated $15,775,674. It was an option preferred by former city council members, three of which were unseated in last month’s election.
“How the heck did we get to nearly $16 million?” asked Mayor Debi Lux, who is serving her second year on the Punta Gorda City Council.
Council member Melissa Lockhart, who was elected in 2021, also expressed surprise. She said that several years ago “prices were $3 million, $4 million.”
Newly elected council member Greg Julian said he “ran on the fact we don’t need a Taj Mahal,” and said the Council has had no problem meeting at the Military Heritage Museum for the last two years.
Hurricane Charley and later, hurricanes Ian, Helene and Milton caused substantial damage to the building and its annex.
Water intrusion, failing electrical and plumbing, the possibility of mold and peeling plaster were some of the issues that caused the closure of the structures.
However, the city’s lease with the museum ends June 30, 2025. Now, the city must decide whether to rehab its former City Hall, which is vacant and shuttered, or find a new facility.
Julian said he is interested in having the city purchase the former Muscle Car City building on U.S. 41 and sharing it with Punta Gorda Police Department’s headquarters, which currently shares space with the fire department in the Public Safety complex on U.S. 41.
The Muscle Car City building is under contract, but if the deal falls through, Julian favors having the city purchase it.
Council member Jeannine Polk said she toured the City Hall building Dec. 3 and was “shocked at how bad it looked.” However, she said it could be rehabbed.
Both past and present council members have expressed interest in preserving the 1927 building in the heart of the Historic District. An annex was added in 1978 and then upgraded in the early 1990s, but the annex holds no historic significance, council members said.
Former council members complained there was a lack of security and not enough public meeting space in a city that continues to grow in population. The new building would be able to accommodate 96 members of the public.
More importantly, the old City Hall and connected offices are in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Webb-Norman explained that in addition to attending Council meetings, those with disabilities must be allowed access to other parts of the city government building under ADA law.
Acting Planning Director Joan LeBeau told council members she would have an updated price in January for the new building that was proposed in the presentation.
Cindy O’Hara, whose family members have owned numerous properties in the county, said the old City Hall building “is a hodgepodge mess.” She suggested the city “do what Charlotte High School did — keep the front of the building and tear it down, demo it.”
Meanwhile, Council will host a workshop meeting and offer applications to members of the public with related professional backgrounds, such as engineering and construction, to serve on a board that would decide the best route the city should take in securing a secure meeting place.
The matter will be further discussed and on the agenda in January.
