City Manager Report – October 31, 2025

What’s Next for City Hall?

We often receive the question, “What’s going on with replacing City Hall?” I would like to take this opportunity to provide an update on the project’s status and outline the next steps.

As many residents know, the future of Normandy Park City Hall has been a topic of discussion for several years. Our current building was originally constructed in the 1950s as an elementary school and later converted into City Hall in the late 1980s. While it has served the community well, it was never intended to function as a modern municipal facility. As a result, the City has been exploring options to ensure that we have a safe, efficient, and functional building that can continue to serve residents daily.

A Look Back

In 2022, the City asked voters to consider approving a bond that would fund a new Civic Center. This combined facility design included City Hall, a recreation center, and a community gathering space. While a majority of voters did not support the proposal, community feedback made it clear that residents were not opposed to a new facility; they were opposed to the cost of the project.

After the bond measure failed, the City explored another option, the purchase and renovation of an existing building to reduce costs. Unfortunately, negotiations with the property owner did not result in an agreement, and by early 2025, the City was again evaluating next steps.

Current Status

To better understand the condition of the existing City Hall, the City commissioned a Comprehensive Building Assessment earlier this year. The study provided valuable insight into the building’s remaining lifespan and the improvements needed to ensure continued safe operation.

The findings confirmed that, while the building requires significant maintenance and upgrades, it can continue to serve as City Hall for the foreseeable future. The estimated cost to make these improvements — including potential interior and exterior updates to improve accessibility, energy efficiency, and overall appearance — is approximately $5 million. 

At the City Council’s September Study Session, staff encouraged Councilmembers to weigh the costs and benefits of two options:

• Renovating the existing building at an estimated $5 million, or
• Constructing a new City Hall for approximately $12 million.

Although the cost difference is substantial, construction costs are likely to continue rising over time. Importantly, the City is currently in a strong financial position to fund a new facility without any additional tax burden from a voter-approved bond — relying instead on reserves and dedicated revenue streams that can only be used for capital projects.

What’s Next

No final decisions have been made. The City Council will continue this discussion at its January 2026 Council Retreat, where staff will present additional financial and design considerations. The other possibility is for the City to continue operating out of City Hall as is, with minimal repairs. Either way, there is still much to discuss.

As always, the City’s goal is to balance the long-term operational needs of City Hall with fiscal responsibility to residents. Any future decision will prioritize maintaining high-quality public service while making prudent use of taxpayer resources. We will continue to keep the community informed as this important conversation moves forward. Stay tuned for updates.

If you have any questions about the information above or any other City topic, please get in touch with me at aarrington@normandyparkwa.gov. Have a great week!

“Our current building was originally constructed in the 1950s as an elementary school and later converted into City Hall in the late 1980s. While it has served the community well, it was never intended to function as a modern municipal facility. As a result, the City has been exploring options to ensure…”