POINTERS TO CONSIDER IN PLANNING FOR NEW GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE

Steps to be taken in planning and constructing a city / town hall

1. Determining the need

2. Determining space requirements
3. Acquiring a site
4. Approving layout, design and architectural features
5. Developing financial plan

It is very important to have an idea of what is wanted or needed because the structure must last up to
60 yrs. The following are some planning consideration for a new city/town hall.

1. Locate the city/town hall where it will be most convenient and if possible where
land values are reasonable.
2. Provide ample off-street parking space for both employees and the public
3. Put most or all city/town department headquarters in the hall.
4. Provide structural expansion and flexibility in office layout
5. Plan the hall from the inside out with emphasis on work flow, convenience to the
public, and convenience for employees
6. Provide for the comfort and efficiency of employees with controlled ventilation and
adequate lighting
7. Provide for employees lounges and rest rooms
8. Provide open, obstructed counters for transactions with the public.

Factors influencing the need is determine thru the extent of need involves in two areas.

1. Condition of building
2. Space needs

The condition of the building is the easiest to evaluate. Things to be considered are types of
construction, structural condition, electrical wiring, heating and ventilating, and facilities such as
restrooms. Careful and professional review may bring factors to possible construction.

At an early stage it is important to have some idea of space needs. This can determine in general terms
by having each department submit their spaces needs for review and study. The real problem in
determining space needs is what will need in the future. The building may be adequate now, but will it
be in 10, 20 or more years. Experience seems to indicate that a new hall is the outgrowth of a number of
years of careful planning and once built, last a long time. Knowledge of the community and its people is
essential to space planning. Officials should know the population projection for the next 20 or 25 years,
the economic level of the community, and the present and probable social and economic characteristics.

Six applicable principles for a city/town hall on site location as follows:

1. Government must serve and be accessible to the people.. Efficiency of service is related to
how convenient government facilities are for the majority of those citizens using the facility.
 2. Since public services must serve every citizen, the activities must be located near the center
of transportation and the center of business activity since it is where the principal users of
the facility are most frequently located.
3. Government offices must have integration with, not isolation from, other offices in order to
serve the public efficiently and effectively.
4. Maximum use of transit system will result in the least public parking area and causes the
least congestion on the street.
5. Proper placement of the city/town hall in the central business district can contribute to the
life of the area.
6. Site location and initial land cost must be included under economic consideration of the site.

DESIGN LAYOUT CONSIDERATION

1. Department requiring constant contact with the general public and the collection of
payment of money
2. Departments requiring contact with special classes of the public. (city own utilities, building
permits, personnel, city planning
3. Other departments including public works, recreation, police and fire etc.
4. City council chamber and office space for use by the mayor and councilmen
5. Offices of city/town administrator
6. Courtrooms
7. Storage vaults and record rooms
8. Locker rooms janitor closets, telecommunication, space for heating and ventilating,
plumbing and space for electrical equipment.
9. Circulating areas for lobbies, corridors, elevators and stairways