New City Hall to open for business on June 4; water payment location moves to City Hall on same day

The new City Hall at 101 First Street SE will officially open for business on Monday, June 4. The newly-renovated, historic building is located on the east bank of the Cedar River, across from the Tree of Five Seasons plaza. The Treasury Division's service window opens at 7:30 a.m. while all other offices open at 8:00 a.m.

“We have carefully preserved the priceless historic elements of the building,” said City Manager Jeff Pomeranz. “With its beautiful limestone façade, terrazzo floors and marble walls, the renovation emphasizes the history of the former courthouse. We're proud to maintain this valuable landmark as the new City Hall for years to come.”

City contractors have renovated the 1928 facility to accommodate about 130 staff members from the offices of the City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk and City Council; Finance Department, including the Treasury, Purchasing and General Accounting Divisions; Community Development Department, including Land Development and Housing Services Divisions; and the Human Resources Department.

In the first floor lobby, residents will find convenient walk-up service windows and comfortable meeting spaces. The lower level of the facility features several conference rooms for public meetings. Free 30-minute parking spaces will be available on First Street SE in front of City Hall. Convenient two-hour metered parking is available surrounding the building for those conducting longer business with the City.

The City will host a public open house in late June for residents to tour the facility. More details will be announced at a later date. The former temporary location at 3851 River Ridge Drive NE will close on Friday, June 1 at 5:00 p.m.

Water Payment Location Moves June 4When the new City Hall opens on June 4, all face-to-face payments will need to be made at this new location, including all water/utility payments, civil fines, camera tickets and assessment fees. Customers will also have the option of dropping their payment, accompanied with their water remittance stub, into the payment box located on Second Avenue, across from the Veterans Memorial Building.

No face-to-face payments will be accepted at the Water Department building after June 18, but the payment box will remain for customers to drop off a check or cash payment with their remittance stub. In addition, a payment drop box will be located on the corner of 1st Street and 2nd Avenue SE adjacent to the new City Hall.

Many other City services will be relocated to the new City Hall, including:

• Alcohol license fees
• Bids and proposals accepted
• Cigarette sales permit fees
• Employment applications
• Pushcart/peddler/solicitor/transient merchant/mobile food unit permit fees
• Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program
• Sidewalk café permit fees
• Taxi/limousine/shuttle license fees
• Utility bill payments (water bill)
• Vehicle tow fees