City of Bend studying options for a new, larger City Hall, possibly in a Central District public-private partnership
KTVZ
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend was a far smaller town 35 years ago, when the current City Hall was built. While the growth is self-evident, and the accompanying need for more space for city staff, there’s still a web of options and issues to address, when it comes to the idea of a bigger City Hall for the future,
At Wednesday’s City Council work session, councilors began a discussion about strategically activating city-owned properties in downtown and the Bend Central District while addressing future long-term planning for Bend City Hall and administrative space needs, the city said in a news release Thursday:
Part of this planning effort is for the development of a future City Hall and administrative facility that can keep up with projected growth and space requirements through the year 2060 and beyond.
By developing a new City Hall, the City of Bend is aiming to create more administrative efficiencies and consolidate operations to improve service delivery, reduce long-term costs and plan for anticipated growth.
Councilors will evaluate options that emphasize the city’s vision to be forward thinking about transforming underutilized land in the city to foster economic development and enhance quality of life. The City is also exploring a potential collaborative delivery method in a Public-Private Partnerships (P3) to leverage private sector expertise and investment while maintaining public ownership and oversight.
“We promised to invest in the Bend Central District because we believe in its potential to bring people together and to be an economic driver for our community,” said Mayor Pro Tem Megan Perkins. “Our commitment is to activate that area while also finding a way to create a City Hall that is a welcoming, safe and functional environment for both city staff and our community.”
“We are taking a look at how we can use all of our existing assets to meet multiple community needs, including enhancing downtown with a community gathering space and other investments,” said Councilor Mike Riley. “By looking at this in a more holistic view, we hope to efficiently use our resources to drive arts and cultural, economic and social benefits for the community.”
The city said its staff will continue to evaluate options, including assessing short-term space needs and conducting additional analysis with the consultant team to determine the highest and best use of City owned property.
City staff aim to return to the council within six months with more information and further recommendations. Meanwhile, councilors are encouraging community members to give input throughout the process.
Here’s the presentation that guided the council’s discussion on Wednesday: