The City of Olympia announced last week it has selected the design submitted by Hoffman Construction from Seattle and Belay Architecture from Tacoma for their new City Hall.

Public presentations were made Oct. 21 before the city’s selection panel and the public.
The selection panel stated that both teams had exceeded their expectations. In their recommendation to the city, the panel praised the efforts of both teams but went on to say they felt the Hoffman / Belay submittal was the superior design and voted to recommend it to the city council after a five to two vote.

The city council approved the recommendation unanimously.

The $35.6 million dollar City Hall will combine all of the city departments which are currently located throughout the city into a single building. It will also house the Olympia Police Department’s administrative offices as well as the new council chambers and public service facilities. In keeping with the city’s efforts to encourage and promote environmental and energy efficient design the proposals were required to meet a LEED Silver rating under the USGB rules. The selected Hoffman / Belay design exceeds this requirement and will deliver a LEED Gold rated building.

The design focal point centers on the public entrance at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Cherry. The two story glass wall separating the lobby and the newly created entry plaza with views to the council chamber “provides a transparent connection between government and the public and allows us a visual reminder that this is our forum for expression,” says Greg Benton, Belay Architecture’s design partner. “I’m very excited to be working with the city. The energy and vision that they have shared with us speaks volumes about their commitment to this project.”

The project is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2009 and will be completed early in 2011.

Hoffman has built several well known regional buildings including the new Seattle City Hall, the new Seattle Library, and the Tacoma Art Museum.

Belay Architecture, based in Tacoma, was founded four years ago. Partners Scott Harm and Greg Benton have been involved in several projects, including the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center and the restoration of the historic Stadium High School.