As part of its, 2016-2030 Capital Improvement Plan, the City of Richland is embarking on an ambitious redevelopment plan that combine and replace City Hall and two other aging city buildings, the city’s George Washington Way fire station, and create new waterfront, retail and commercial development opportunities in the heart of Richland.

“This project is about more than just a new City Hall, although it will provide enhanced access and easier use for our citizens,” said Holli Logan, Richland’s communications and marketing manager. “This will combine three of our current offices and allow a ‘one-stop shop’ for residents.”

Richland’s existing city hall was built in 1958 and maintenance of the aging build is a constant challenge.

Under the plan, the city’s Development Services, Administrative Annex and City Hall, would be combined. The city would build a three-story, 44,000-sq.-ft. municipal building with a basement on 1.8 acres at the corner of Swift Boulevard and Jadwin Avenue, at 625 Swift Blvd.

The project also includes improvements to Swift Boulevard, like widening the sidewalks, adding decorative street lighting, on-street parking, bicycle lanes and more.

Logan said the city plans to use a design/build model for the planning, development and construction of the project, which is estimated at about $19.4 million.

The city’s debt on its shops is paid off at the end of the year, so it will use the debt revenue to pay for the new facility, as well as revenue from the city’s electric utility tax, so Richland residents won’t be tagged with any new taxes to pay for the project.

The Swift Corridor project is a mixture of public and private initiatives that will stimulate economic development along Swift Boulevard between Long Avenue and George Washington Way.

Some parts of the project are already complete or under way, including Kadlec’s new parking garage, and Richland developer Greg Markel’s restaurants and office buildings along Swift Boulevard between Jadwin Avenue and George Washington Way.

The consolidation of the city’s facilities and the new building are the next step, Logan said.

The City has already entered into an agreement with Columbia Basin College to purchase half an acre of property in the vicinity of the Richland Federal Building for $197,000. That property, at 751 Mansfield Street, will be exchanged with the U.S. government for the 1.8 acres of property at the corner of Swift Boulevard and Jadwin Avenue.

The plan also calls for the existing City Hall and Administrative Access Building to be demolished. The city would then develop the 1.5-acre site at the corner of George Washington Way and Swift Boulevard and lease it for economic development purposes. The city estimates it would, conservatively, receive lease revenue of approximately $69,000 from the site.

Logan said the city will be finalizing the purchase and sales agreements this month and begin seeking a design/build team for the project. She estimated that construction of the new Richland City Hall building could begin in 2017.

“The vision and possibilities for the new Richland City Hall are an engaging and exciting challenge, with the opportunity to implement sound environmental development practices, exercise efficient stewardship of community resources, and create an iconic structure that embodies the identity of the city through a forward-reaching approach,” Logan said.