VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WVEC) -- Seven months after voting to build a new City Hall building, Virginia Beach City Council members received another look of what it might look like.
Mostly architects presented to council members on Tuesday. They showed a schematic design of the building, which includes three stories, and additional 70-thousand square feet.
The project is expected to cost $55 million. Councilman Bobby Dyer said he understands that some residents would rather the money go towards stormwater concerns or public safety.
"We have to do something," said Dyer. "We have to build a new building, let's do it right and let's do it. Build a building that the public can be proud of and be willing to come and participate with."
The current City Hall building is unsafe. It’s filled with asbestos, and the electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems are nearly 50 years old. Once those systems fail, the building won't be habitable, according to the City of Virginia Beach.
Dyer said the new building will allow for a larger council chamber, hopefully attracting more citizens to the meetings.
"With the larger gallery, get people out to the meetings, get them proactive get them involved and help us make those difficult decisions we're going to have to do in the future," said Dyer.
The city’s goal is to begin construction of the new city hall in the Spring of 2019 and officially open by the year 2021.
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