City Hall Renovation Project
Project Description
Market Square has been the center of civic activity for Alexandrians since the City’s founding in 1749. The current City Hall, built in 1871, is a great source of community pride and serves as a workplace for more than 300 City employees. After many years of service, major updates are needed throughout City Hall to repair aging building components, improve operating systems, optimize space utilization, improve building circulation and wayfinding, and enhance security.
The City Hall Renovation Project will provide a revitalized safe, and sustainable environment to better serve City staff, Alexandria residents, and visitors well into the future. The City of Alexandria is committed to maintaining City Hall as the seat of government for many years to come.
Current Project Phase - Architectural and Engineering Design of City Hall and Market Square
Current Project Phase - Architectural and Engineering Design of City Hall and Market Square
In the Spring and Summer of 2023, the Department of General Services conducted pre-design programming verification to update programming needs post pandemic for all departments currently housed in City Hall and gauge which functions should remain in City Hall.
On September 29, 2023, The City issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQu) seeking professional architectural design services, engineering services, and construction administration services from interested and qualified firms for the major renovation of City Hall, Market Square Garage and Plaza.
Responses from interested firms will be due in Mid-November 2023 with an anticipate contract award in Spring 2024.
Questions?
Questions regarding the RFQu process should be directed to the City Purchasing department at (jordan.howar@alexandriava.gov).
Project History
Urgent City Hall Repairs Started
In Spring 2014, the City engaged an architectural/engineering consultant to conduct a feasibility study addressing required immediate and priority City Hall repairs. As a result of this investigation, the following projects have been undertaken, with more initiatives to follow:
- Latrobe Bell Tower Structural Monitoring
- Roof and Attic Framing Repairs
- Repairs to Exterior Walls, Windows, and Roof Trim
Workplace Guidelines Developed
In 2015, the City developed Workplace Guidelines and studied current and future space needs for each City Hall department. Space is at a premium in City Hall, and the post-renovation usable square footage is not expected to accommodate the future needs of the current functions and occupants. This presents an opportunity to examine which functions best serve Alexandria in City Hall and which would provide better service at other locations.
Ad Hoc Joint City-Schools Facility Investment Task Force (the Task Force)
The Task Force study, released in 2018, challenged the City to actively consider alternatives to the traditional means of doing business and look for opportunities to co-locate City services in a more central location. This aligns with the City's initiative to examine how and where services are provided, in preparation for the City Hall Renovation Project.
Future Phases
Stay tuned to learn more about City Hall design, construction planning, interim and permanent moves, and more as the renovation project moves forward.