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Montgomery reviews preliminary plans to convert hardware building into municipal complex; no action taken
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Summary
City council workshop examined test-fit designs for a municipal complex and police department in an existing hardware building, discussed materials and early cost and size estimates (approx. 32,000 sq ft and "just under $10,000,000" full build), and asked staff for refined pricing; the workshop was discussion-only.
Montgomery council members on Dec. 9 reviewed preliminary test-fit designs for a municipal complex that would convert an existing hardware store into a two-story city hall and police facility, but the workshop produced no formal decisions.
Architect John Stevens of Engineering Buildings Texas/Mcfate Group told the council the plans are at a "programming level test fit" and emphasized the concepts are preliminary. He said the team has 3D-scanned the building and modeled the floor plans in Revit to verify program needs.
The schematic places the council chamber at the center of the building with municipal offices arrayed along exterior walls to maximize natural light. Stevens described a separate police entrance, a sally port, evidence and narcotics storage, briefing and holding areas, and a mix of fixed and flexible office and meeting spaces. "This is preliminary," Stevens said, adding the firm will develop more detailed schematic designs and room data sheets in the next phase.
Council members and staff pressed for numbers and phasing. An attendee identified in the transcript as Unidentified Speaker 6 said preliminary full-build estimates are "just under $10,000,000." Stevens said the design-build firm can provide more refined cost estimates through an estimator on staff but cautioned that post‑COVID construction prices remain volatile.
On size, Stevens said the existing footprint is about 15,000 square feet and the project yields roughly 32,000 square feet of program space after including two floors and the planned addition; he noted earlier programming requests initially totaled about 8,000–9,000 square feet before future growth needs expanded the scope.
Stevens warned of structural and envelope issues with the existing building: many exterior bricks are tied to girts without a supporting vapor barrier or insulation, meaning portions of the brick façade likely must be removed and rebuilt to provide an appropriate envelope. He confirmed the renovated facility will require a sprinkler system; the existing building has none.
Design character and materials drew active discussion. Several councilmembers voiced a preference for red brick or limestone to match nearby civic buildings and create an "Old Town" ambiance; Stevens said materials can be adjusted in later design phases and that the renderings presented were only early options. "It's the community's building," Stevens said, adding he intends to execute the council's vision.
Because this was a workshop, no votes were taken. Council members asked staff and the architect for follow‑up material: refined cost estimates, alternative façade palettes (including a lower-cost option), and additional renderings that reflect council preferences and budget constraints. The meeting closed with thanks to the architect and an indication the council would resume consideration at a later time.
Meeting status: discussion only; no formal action or approvals were recorded at the workshop.
