Plans on building new city hall

by Aaron Agorilla
The City of Windsor plans to begin the construction of a new city hall later this year.
The design work is near completion and construction is set to begin early May.
Project administrator Al-Yassiri says he believes in the project, even though it has faced criticism by being funded by tax dollars.
“I feel that building a new city hall would be a better option rather than renovating the existing one,” said Al-Yassiri.
The new city hall will feature innovative architecture, increased capacity, new furniture and more city council rooms.
The existing city hall is located on 350 City Hall Square W. with the new city hall being built slightly south of the existing one. The new city hall will be built on the two existing parking lots, which will be relocated. Al-Yassiri says once the new city hall is completed, crews will demolish the old building. According to Al-Yassiri, the construction will take around two years to complete. Al-Yassiri will have to tender by this month to make sure everything is within budget and have more meetings with council to secure approval.
“The majority of this project is positive because it’s going to be a newer building so it’s going to be more energy efficient and more pleasing,” said Al-Yassiri.
The site of the current city hall will be connected to green space. All the public space will be connected and will have a very nice landscape according to Al-Yassiri.
The total cost will be over $43 million, which will include the construction cost, the demolition of the existing city hall, the engineering cost, the furniture cost and the miscellaneous costs.
Al-Yassiri says he plans to stay on time and within budget to complete this project smoothly and successfully.
“I’m excited and I’m sure the public will hopefully like it because it’s going to be a nice building and it will be a beautiful set up,” he said.