The Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee discussed plans to build a new city hall. On March 3rd of this year, city council approved a budget which allocated over 125.5 million dollars for construction in 2024. One of the main focuses was to build a new city hall with greater square footage, as it was costing approximately $3 million annually to lease workplaces for city workers, due to a lack of space at 300 Dufferin. Things changed drastically when just two weeks later the lockdown occurred.
The council meeting saw mentions of the uncertainty of what an average workplace will look like in the future. Many businesses are having their employees work from home if possible, and city hall is no different. Many councillors are currently working the majority of the week from home, and there was thoughts that this could potentially be the new normal for many workers, even after the pandemic.
Also discussed was where this new city hall would be built. The idea of repurposing an already built structure downtown was contrasted by considering constructing an entirely new building. Deputy Mayor Josh Morgan mentioned how city council could potentially need considerably less space for workers in the future, which would change things drastically. The city has also looked into constructing a multi-use building and using certain spaces for their matters.
“There may not be a need to build a new city hall, instead, partner with a private sector developer to do a ‘combination building’ where you have civic space and some other use like residential.” explains Morgan.
London’s City Hall has been located at 300 Dufferin since 1971.
Comments