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Council authorizes WD& Architects to finish designs and bid phase one of municipal complex renovation
Summary
The Ward City Council voted to continue working with WD& Architects to finalize designs and bid documents for phase one of a three-phase municipal complex renovation; council recorded a 4–2 vote in favor. Phase one is budgeted at about $245,000, staff said.
The Ward City Council on Oct. 15 authorized the city to continue working with WD& Architects to complete design and bid documents for phase one of a multi-phase municipal complex renovation, a motion that passed on the council floor by a recorded tally of four in favor and two opposed.
Chad Young, president and CEO of WD& Architects, presented the design package with senior interior designer Abby Redmond, outlining three phases that would renovate the council/courtroom interior (phase one), update corridors and the front entrance to include an ADA-accessible secure vestibule (phase two), and rework the dining/lounge area (phase three). Young told the council, “Phase one is coming in around $245,000,” and said that estimate covers finishes, an ADA toilet upgrade and integrated millwork.
Why it matters: The renovation aims to improve accessibility, security and functionality in public areas where the council and court meet. Designers proposed several safety elements — including Kevlar or equivalent panels and bullet-resistant glass at secure transaction windows — plus aesthetic upgrades intended to modernize the council chamber and better accommodate public meetings.
Council discussion focused on scope, accessibility and phasing. Council members asked whether departments could be reallocated to make room for a secure public-facing window and whether cosmetic upgrades should be extended to other departments later. Designer Abby Redmond described interior finishes she said would be durable and fingerprint-resistant, noting a preference for materials that conceal wear: “we’ll use a paneling that is solid surface … this actually is fingerprintless,” she said.
The motion the council approved authorized staff to continue working with WD& Architects to develop construction documents for phase one and to proceed toward competitive bidding. The recorded tally provided in the meeting transcript shows four council members voted in favor and two opposed; individual roll-call votes were not recorded in the transcript for this motion.
Next steps: Staff will continue design development and prepare bid documents for phase one. The council indicated it will revisit phase two and phase three funding and scheduling once phase one design and bidding progress is complete.
