Oak Park Opens Doors Of New City Hall

(Oak Park Press Release, Oct. 12, 2013)

The City of Oak Park’s newly-built City Hall became fully operational this week with an inaugural meeting of City Council in its 1,677-sq.-ft. chambers. City Council issued final approval of plans for the 43,000-sq.-ft. construction project in April 2012, which will be completed as scheduled and is expected to finish at approximately $300,000 under budget.

“We’re extremely pleased to be completing construction below budget estimates, especially in light of the fact that the original design cost exceeded the City’s budget,” City Manager Erik Tungate commented. “The architect and construction manager worked together to value engineer the plan to produce a more cost-effective approach. City Council accepted the revised plan and broke ground on the project in May of last year.” Harley Ellis Devereaux Architects designed the new facility; and Frank Rewold & Son, Inc. served as construction manager.

The total construction cost for City Hall and other renovated buildings is $13,280,000, which was funded by a resident-approved bond proposal passed in August 2010. The City also utilized funding from the federal government’s “Build America” program administered through Oakland County to subsidize 45% of the interest on the project bonds. The project was expanded to renovate the library and community center with an additional $2.5 million borrowed through Oakland County’s building authority and use of the county’s excellent bond rating.

The reconfigured City of Oak Park campus consists of the City Hall building and a new addition to the Public Safety building, including renovations to Public Safety’s sally port (secured entryway for prisoner delivery), booking area and cell block; renovated library and community center (which were completed this past spring); and equipment additions to Rothstein and Victoria parks, located over the I-696 freeway. The recently-renovated community center complex houses the recreation department; the library; and Municipal Services, which includes Technical and Planning (Buildings, Engineering, Code Enforcement and Animal Control) and Community and Economic Development.

“The Naftaly Municipal Complex rivals the quality of the most modern government facilities in many major cities across the nation,” Mayor Marian McClellan added. “I have no doubt that residents will be very proud of what they have built.” In November 2011, City Council unanimously elected to name the campus the Gerald E. Naftaly Municipal Complex, after former Oak Park Mayor Naftaly, who served in

Oak Park government consecutively from 1977 to 2011 — 14 years as a member of council and 20 years as mayor.

The current City Hall, which is located at 14000 Oak Park Blvd. next door to the former administrative building, currently serves as home of the offices of the Mayor and Council, City Manager, City Clerk, Finance (Assessing, Treasury and Water), Communications & Public Information, Information Technology and Human Resources. Public Safety will relocate to an adjacent building at a later date.

“We will continue to offer public safety services from our old location until late October,” Public Safety Director Steve Cooper commented. “This will enable the department to facilitate a smooth transition.”

The full services of Public Safety will remain in the former building at 13600 Oak Park Blvd. until the planned move. Only administrative offices have relocated to the new building to date.

“Several city staff employees took the lead on this successful construction project,” said City Manager Tungate. “While there are many impressive visible elements, such as a contemporary building design and spacious Council chambers, many infrastructure efficiencies may not be seen, but will be felt in cost reductions for the City.”

“Residents will be able to recognize some of the technology upgrades right away, such as electronic information centers in the lobby that provide up-to-date information,” commented Kevin Yee, who serves as Assistant City Manager, City Engineer and DPW Director. Director Yee oversaw design and construction of the new building, which includes several cost-saving and environmentally-friendly elements, such as LED street lights, energy efficient interior lighting with motion sensors, and a geothermal HVAC system for heating and cooling.

“Oak Park is a beautiful community with so much to offer our residents,” added City Manager Tungate.

“I look forward to the continuation of progress by our City Council and staff that makes our City great.”

For more on the City of Oak Park visit their website at http://www.oakpark-mi.com/.