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A Municipal Hall for Civic Administration

Our courthouses and public buildings represent hope for the future passed on from previous generations of self-governing men and women, and we cannot forget that those current stewards of local government must also be highly accountable and responsive by virtue of their constant participation within the community. As such, a new Municipal Hall should reflect the early principles of civic buildings—dignity, durability, transparency, and accessibility.

 

The Purpose

 

This proposal aims to make efficient use of taxpayer resources by combining the administrative functions of city, county, and school board under one roof, while preserving the Courthouse exclusively for judicial functions. By limiting the buildings to those of a modest size and building where space is a premium, we can physically keep the size and scope of government in check, while realizing that a growing community requires some degree of additional support.

Symbolic Gestures

 

With the main entrance a few steps above the new green, citizens are free to enter into the main two-level hall---the Hall of the People. From the upper level, the shared council chambers occupy the central bay of the front façade overlooking the public green, and to the left and right in the side bays of the main mass are the offices of the Mayor and the County Commission Chairman. In this manner, the public can symbolically “keep an eye on” the council members and leaders from inside as well as from the civic green. A secondary entrance is provided at the terminus of Court Street to allow access from the green and from the mid-block employee parking lot at the rear of the building.

Designed to Last

 

The Municipal Hall is designed with durability and adaptability in mind. The structural system is laid out in a manner that preserves the primary axes and means of circulation through the building but allows for flexibility within the department wings—each department can have an open plan layout or individual offices as required. Natural light and ventilation also become assets in the building, with large operable windows to let in ample daylight and fresh air. These techniques represent the kind of durable construction that will last for generations.

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