Gadsden — The Gadsden City Council voted to award bid number 3580 to Clements Dean Building Company LLC for $16,689,000 to renovate the Regions Bank building and the neighboring administrative building into a new city hall complex on Broad Street.

Councilman Wilson said the bid award completes a long-term plan to relocate city hall and clear the existing site for commercial development. He told the council that $7 million of the project was budgeted for 2025 and that most of the remaining costs will likely be paid in the 2026 fiscal year.

Mayor Craig Ford, who led the city’s effort to buy the property, said the existing city hall—built in the 1950s—has significant accessibility and structural issues, including mold and asbestos, and lacks adequate parking. He described the purchase of the Broad Street property as a partnership with Regions Bank and said the city acquired buildings appraised at $15 million for $2.8 million.

The council’s discussion emphasized fiscal readiness. Councilman Wilson said prior administrations preserved savings that allowed the city to finance the work largely from funds on hand. "This is something that we've done because we've been fiscally responsible with taxpayer monies for years," he said. Council members noted strong competition among bidders and that the low bid was within expected ranges.

The award was passed during the meeting after members suspended the rules to consider the item under new business; the motion carried by voice vote.

The project scope includes renovating both buildings, connecting them, building new council chambers and offices, and improving public access and parking. Officials said the renovation is intended to enhance downtown economic activity by clearing the prior city hall site for commercial development along the Coosa River.

Construction timing: Council materials and discussion place initial funding in 2025 and expect much of the remaining activity and payments to occur in 2026. No specific construction schedule or projected completion date was provided at the meeting.