The Temple Municipal Building, aka City Hall, was built as a theater and concert hall in 1928 and has served the city for decades. Today, City Council heard a plan to explore building a new city headquarters or expanding the existing facility. Either way, the new upgraded City Hall likely would be built in the parking lot just west of the building. The new facility would be nearly 35,000 square feet and could include a parking garage or underground parking levels. David Stone photo

DAVID STONE | June 2, 2022

The city of Temple is studying the need for a new or expanded City Hall that likely would be located in the parking lot west of the current Municipal Building.

While still in the concept phase, the new or expanded multi-floor facility would house the city manager’s office, the city’s finance office, the city attorney’s office, marketing and communications, and a new City Council chambers.

The presentation was made during a Council workshop session today by Brynn Myers, Temple city manager.

The current Municipal Building was built in 1928, primarily as a theater. The building is 30,000 square feet, but some of that space — an orchestra pit, for example — isn’t usable.

The new or expanded facility would be just short of 35,000 square feet and because much of the city parking lot would be eliminated in the project, designs likely will include a parking level or an attached parking garage.

This parking facility would be in addition to the two garages being constructed Downtown on 4th and on 1st streets.

A seven-member committee was formed in February to evaluate possible architectural firms for the project, and the top three firms were interviewed Feb. 28. Randall Scott Architects of Arlington was the highest rated firm.

City Council is expected to approve a schematic design contract with RSA later this month — possibly as early as June 16. If a design is ultimately approved, a 13-month construction period could begin in September 2023.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

today’s best bets

• Trivia Night at Fire Base Brewing Co. with Texas Red. 7 p.m.

• Poetry & Music open mic night at Corky’s  with host Nate Biddy. Sign up at 6:30, first act at 7:10.

• Clay with Lindsay at Cultural Activities Center. Go to cacarts.org to sign up for her classes

• Free dance lessons at Bo’s Barn from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Karaoke from 8:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m

• Lonesome Dove: The Photo Exhibit runs through June 25. The exhibit is a collection of black-and-white framed photos captured by the late Bill Wittliff, renowned photographer, writer, and co-executive producer of the popular Western mini-series.

• All Craft and Arts Retreat at Rockin’ R Retreat Center, 5650 Bottoms Road in Temple. Bring your own projects and come create! Retreats and classes are for ages 18 and up, but ages 14-17 may attend with an adult. Details and registration at www.renacotti.com

To include your events in What’s Happening and Today’s Best Bets, email information to OurTownTemple@gmail.com. Photos are welcome to for use in the publication as space permits!