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Designers show options to return council chambers to old City Hall; study and historic constraints noted
Summary
Architecture firm Health Design presented concepts that would restore council chambers to the historic City Hall or repurpose the building as a multipurpose cultural venue; the council asked for further study of capacity, costs and historic constraints.
Health Design presented preliminary concepts for renovating Belmont's former City Hall, including options to return council chambers downtown, open the building for events or theater use and add restrooms and an elevator. The firm identified the building's historic status and interior paintings as constraints requiring careful study.
The presentation noted the first floor is roughly 3,700 square feet and showed a rendering with about 99 seats; the firm said the basement is underused and could become additional office or program space if natural light solutions are found. An associate principal on the team said the basement was "dark" and that options to bring natural light or reconfigure the space would be part of the study.
Council members expressed support for exploring return of council functions to the downtown building but flagged practical issues: audiovisual capability, comparable seating capacity to the current chambers, staff logistics and potential higher costs for a full Phase 2 rehabilitation. Designers recommended public engagement and a deeper cost study before any relocation or major commitment.
Next steps: staff and the design firm will follow up with a scoped study and cost estimates, including a more detailed assessment of seating, ADA work, historic-preservation constraints and possible phasing and budget implications. The council did not take a formal vote on relocation but asked for refined numbers for upcoming budget/retreat discussions.
