Council OKs Mosaic as City Hall design firm

Mosaic Architecture has been selected to design a new City Hall and parking structure in Whitefish.

Whitefish City Council on Jan. 21 approved entering contract negotiations with the design firm. Council will vote on final approval of the contract following negotiations.

The Whitefish City Hall steering committee voted unanimously in December to recommend Mosaic for the job.

The Helena-based firm rose to the top of a design competition in which they presented their vision for City Hall as a brick building accented with large timber. The concept included a distinct entry that allowed for a landscaped courtyard wrapping the corner of the building.

Final design of City Hall might look quite different, city manager Chuck Stearns said. All designs presented during the competition are considered early concepts and the final design will be created through a process of working with city staff, council and the public.

Combining a parking structure with a new City Hall is estimated to cost about $11.5 million. Tax-increment finance funds are suggested for the project.