Clearwater's new $45 million city hall moves forward
By Breanne Williams
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Jun 20, 2023

Clearwater will start designing a new city hall to be built south of the Municipal Services Building downtown.

Clearwater City Council on June 15 unanimously chose a stand-alone design concept on the city-owned property at Myrtle Avenue and Pierce Street. They were given three concepts to review, and the total project is estimated to cost $44.8 million — $31.5 million for a new city hall and a $13.3 million renovation of the MSB.

The selected proposal will build a 41,679-square-foot city hall along with a public plaza green space that connects to the Pinellas Trail. The existing parking lot of the MSB will support city hall; onsite parking will also be added for the development.

The city hired St. Pete-based Wannemacher Jensen Architects in September for $3 million to begin conceptual planning for the project. Jason Jenson, president and CEO of Wannemacher Jensen Architects, presented the three options at a previous workshop. The other two options were for an approximately $43.2 million, three-story building addition to the MSB or a $76.24 million, five-story stand-alone civic center.

The renderings presented June 15 are conceptual; architects will now begin work on final designs for the new city hall.

Council will still need to approve the construction of the project. In July, council is expected to vote to name the building after former City Manager Bill Horne, following a recommendation from Mayor Brian Aungst Sr.

“William B. Horne City Hall would be appropriate and fitting for someone who has served the city as dedicated and honorably as he did for the better part of 23 years,” Aungst said.

The new city hall will be built directly north of where Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority aims to build a $45 million transit center.

For years, city staff has worked from the sixth floor of the One Clearwater Tower in downtown. In January 2019 the city vacated the former city hall on Osceola Avenue — which lies near the downtown waterfront. Last week, council also approved the designation of an additional $252,544 toward the demolition of the former city hall site after asbestos was found within the building.