City Hall, parking structure construction progressing
Upon entering the lobby of the new City Hall, visitors will be able to get assistance at several counters for various city departments. (Heidi Desch / Whitefish Pilot)
The second floor of the new City Hall features an open view down to the first floor lobby area. (Heidi Desch / Whitefish Pilot)
City Council Chambers are located on the second floor of the new City Hall. (Heidi Desch / Whitefish Pilot)
The view looking north to Big Mountain from the city’s new parking garage downtown. The parking garage and the new City Hall are expected to be completed this spring. (Heidi Desch / Whitefish Pilot)
Construction work on the new Whitefish City Hall and parking structure continues to move along.
“It keeps taking form and shape,” Mike Cronquist said.
Cronquist said the entire project is about 75 percent complete.
Cold weather in recent weeks with temperatures dipping blow zero has had little impact on work. Masons working on the exterior brick of the building moved inside to work and some concrete work was shifted.
“It’s made work more difficult,” Cronquist said. “But it hasn’t affected the schedule — it hasn’t impacted the end date.”
A slight frost heave or uplift in the concrete slab near the entry to the parking structure occurred likely as a result of the extreme cold and frost conditions, according to Cronquist.
Cronquist said intense inspections of the area have produced no evidence of abnormal stress or cracking of the concrete.
“The contractor will continue with elevation measurements and to watch for any signs of cracks forming,” he said. “We’re not seeing any problem.”
Inside City Hall, drywall work has begun, along with installation and painting of door frames. The interior masonry work is complete.
On the second floor in the Council Chambers, crews have begun to frame in the council dais along with the city staff seating area. Painting has also begun on the second floor.
Most of the concrete work has been completed. The final ramp for the parking structure was poured last month and completion of the concrete in the parking structure is expected this month.
Brick work is expected to continue on City Hall along Baker Avenue and then progress to the parking structure. Delivery of the storefront windows for City Hall have been delayed, but are not holding up the schedule, Cronquist noted.
The installation of the elevator for City Hall was expected to begin last week.
Electrical, mechanical, plumbing and HVAC work continues throughout the project.
The combined cost for City Hall and the parking structure is $16.2 million. Expected completion is April.
The new City Hall will be 24,000 square feet in two stories and includes a half floor basement. The parking structure will be 84,000 square feet on three stories with about 200 parking spaces. On the northwest corner of the parking structure is 2,800 square feet of retail space the city plans to lease out.