Growing Cowtown Eyes New City Hall
Fort Worth looks at old post office building for new city hall
Fort Worth is considering the city's stately downtown Post Office building for City Hall's new home.
Fort Worth will spend $200,000 to draw up detailed plans to move City Hall to the historic U.S. Post Office building downtown under a plan submitted to the City Council on Tuesday.
Fort Worth has outgrown its current City Hall, which was built in the early 1970s, Mayor Mike Moncrief said.
"Something has got to be done," he said. "We are out of room."
The post office is trying to sell its stately building on Lancaster Avenue. Built in 1935, it now sits largely empty.
"You are only going to get one chance to save that building for a governmental purpose," Moncrief said. "And I think it would be wonderful if we could take advantage of that opportunity."
The current City Hall is 145,000 square feet. The post office would provide up to 180,000 square feet.
Under one plan, Fort Worth would keep its current City Hall open and save up to $1 million per year by relocating other offices it now rents around town.
One stumbling block could be the price. Fort Worth is struggling to make up a $50 million budget shortfall.
But under a lease-to-own arrangement, Fort Worth could pay $4 million to $6.5 million a year for the post office building, without putting any money upfront.
A developer would pay for extensive renovations.
City Council members are expected to approve the $200,000 architectural and engineering study next week. The post office also would contribute an equal amount.
Posted Thursday, Jul 16, 2009 - 10:36 PM CST
