VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — After receiving five bids for the construction of an approved new city hall, Virginia Beach city leaders are poised to award a $37 million contract to build the new government home by 2021.
McKenzie Construction Corporation, a Virginia Beach-based construction company, submitted the lowest, responsive bid of $36,981,000 to beat out four other construction companies for the contract. Virginia Beach Deputy City Manager Tom Leahy said he expects to finalize terms with the company soon and begin construction of the new building in July.
R. Keith Hathaway, Executive Vice President for McKenzie Construction Corporation, said he's excited his company submitted the lowest bid and could be awarded the contract. He said he expects the construction will take two years to complete.
Leahy said the current Virginia Beach City Hall is facing multiple issues that will be fixed with a new building.
"It's inadequate in size, has inadequate electrical and security systems and there's just no way to retrofit them because of the asbestos," Leahy said.
Leahy said the current city hall has an electrical and HVAC system that cannot be updated unless the entire building is shut down, making it impossible to complete repairs and make upgrades in stages. He said the current asbestos in the walls and ceilings is contained and not moving, and the city manages it and measures it often.
"Once everybody is relocated in the new city hall the [current city hall] will be shut down, gutted and restored to modern day standards with modern day materials," Leahy said.
The City of Virginia Beach is still deciding what it will do with the current city hall building once it is renovated. Leahy said the IT Department and Public Utilities Department could use centralized spaces. He also said Public Safety employees may need additional space when their facilities are upgraded in the future.
The new city hall is designed to accommodate larger city council meetings as well.
"Our council chambers are inadequate for both formal and informal meetings," Leahy said. "Those chambers will be much larger [in the new building]."
The current city hall was built 50 years ago in 1969. Leahy expects a similar lifespan for the new building.
"It will be a city hall for the people, [lasting] for at least 50, if not 100, years," he said.