Project History

March 2011
In the past month, the main focus of the project has been on interior finishes. Terrazzo flooring in the lobby and public hallway areas is being laid. Painting, carpeting, ceiling tiles and bathroom fixtures are being installed. The first shipment of workstations was delivered. The mechanical and electrical start up and testing has begun. Outside, the final window shades and metal panels are being set. In the coming weeks, the park path will be paved and park amenities restored. Staff will move into the new facility late May/early June, at which time the current City Hall will be abated and demolished. The park will open to the public mid-summer. 

December 2010
It is nearing the end of 2010 and almost 11 months have passed since the new Richfield Municipal Center project officially broke ground.  As of mid-December, the building is completely roofed (just in time for all the snowfall!).  Window and curtainwall installation continues along the west and north sides of the building.  Buildings D (Fire Station 1) and C (Administration) are dry-walled, taped and being painted.  The main staircases have been constructed as well as the stairway in the hose tower. Masonry work in the sallyport and detention area was recently finished.  Due to the early winter, trail paving in Heredia Park was delayed until spring.

April 2010
Construction work has been well underway since the beginning of February.  As of the end of April, concrete footings and below grade walls have been installed for the Fire and Administration sections of the building.  Above grade masonry walls are being installed for the two Fire apparatus bays and precast plank has been erected.  The Public Safety underground parking foundation is being formed and poured. Work will continue in a south to north fashion.

February 2010
The remaining construction contracts were awarded at the February 23, 2010 City Council meeting.

Digging for the basement in the southern portion of the building has begun.  There was 6' of frost to cut through! The parks' building is also scheduled to be removed the first week of March.

January 2010
The City Council awarded 35 of the 47 bid packages.  Some of the packages were rejected in order to reduce the work scope.  These packages will be re-bid with a 2nd bid opening scheduled for Feb. 16, 2010. The construction trailer was placed on site on January 21st. 

December 2009
The bid opening for 47 packages was held on December 22, 2009. A link to those bids can be found on the project's main page.

November 2009
On November 24, 2009, the City Council agreed to name the new City Hall building the Richfield Municipal Center.

At the November 10, 2009 Council meeting, the Richfield City Council approved the final plans and specs for the new Police/Fire/City Hall facility and authorized advertisement for bids. A bid opening is scheduled for December 22, 2009 and the first contracts will be awarded by the Council at its meeting on January 12, 2010. The final plans call for a 98,000 square foot structure which will incorporate many sustainable strategies including high performance mechanical/ventilation systems and lighting and electrical systems, daylighting optimization, environmentally sensitive products, water conservation and storm water management.

Since October, the area around the current City Hall building has been undergoing site preparation work. This work includes the construction of two temporary parking lots for customers and staff, the installation of lighting for the temporary lots and electricity for the construction trailer, the demolition of two single family homes south of the current parking lot, and the removal and reinstallation of the monument sign and flagpole.

A successful groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 31, 2009. It was attended by the Richfield City Council, many members of the City Hall Advisory Taskforce (CHAT), residents, City staff, representatives from Wold Architects, Stahl Construction, Inc., and Orfield Laboratories Inc.

October 2009
The Richfield City Council awarded several contracts at its October 13, 2009 meeting to begin the site preparation work necessary for the construction of the new Police/Fire/City Hall facility.  Site prep work will begin the week of October 19th.  One of the main projects will be the installation of two temporary staff/customer parking lots - one on the east side of the building alongside Portland Ave. and the other lot located where the current tennis courts are in Heredia Park.   Additionally, electrical work will be done to provide electricity to the construction trailer and the monument sign and flagpole will be moved to temporary locations.

July 2009
The Richfield City Council approved the design development phase for the new Police/Fire/City Hall facility.  Wold Architects and Stahl Construction will now proceed with the next phase of the project, which is the development of contract documents for the bidding process.

April 2009
The Richfield City Council approved the schematic design concept by Wold Architects for the new Police, Fire, City Hall facility. 

January 2009
Four firms were interviewed on January 12, 2009 to provide construction management services for the new Police/Fire/City Hall facility project.  The interview committee recommended Stahl Construction and the Council approved the recommendation at its Feb. 10, 2009 meeting.  Stahl has worked on several major projects, including the Lakeville Police Administration Building, the Lakeville South High School, Wayzata City Hall/Library/Police facility, and the Minneapolis Third Precinct Police Station.

October 2008
The City finalizes its agreement with Wold Architects.
Additional residents selected to serve on the Citizen Advisory Task Force (CHAT III).

August 2008
The City selects Wold Architects to work on City Hall.

August 2008
The City Council approves General Obligation Capital Bonds to finance City Hall project.

July 2008
The deadline for submitting a petition to require a referendum on the Police/Fire/City Hall Facility General Obligation Capital Bonds passed and no petition was filed.

June 2008
The City Council held a public hearing and second reading to authorize the planning, design and construction of a new Police/Fire/City Hall facility. After discussion, the project received unanimous Council approval.

June 2008
The City Council conducted a public hearing on the adoption of a five-year capital improvement budget and plan for the City and the preliminary approval for the issuance general obligation bonds up to a maximum principal amount of just over $22.7 million.  The level of bonding could be reduced by $7.6 million of refunded Police and Fire pension monies and $1 million of cash on hand.

December 2006
City hires Wold Architects, through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process, to assist CHAT II and City staff in determining space needs and developing preliminary site designs. 

July 2005
The City Council appointed members to a second taskforce charged with determining site location, building design and funding options.

May 2005
First taskforce presented its recommendation to the City Council to build a new City Hall/Police facility rather than remodel the existing building.

November 2003
Council approves formation of the first City Hall Taskforce.

April 2003
Building design and cost analysis prepared by Tushie for City Hall expansion.  Staff determined portions of the remodeling project could be done in-house by staff.

August 2001
Space needs assessment study for possible building expansion conducted by architect Gary Tushie

Spring 2001
Staff committee formed to consider City Hall facility issues and solutions