Across America, cities are teeing up billions in funding for hard infrastructure, digital upgrades, sustainability and climate resilience projects. Municipal planning documents signal a multi-year construction cycle that folds in law enforcement, new municipal buildings, water systems, transit facility expansions, IT, and power projects. In particular, it appears that many cities are investing in new or enhanced city hall facilities designed to provide better municipal services. Many municipal districts are also consolidating city service divisions into campus-like locations that also provide space for community engagement events.
City officials in Bloomington, Minnesota, are planning to construct a new fleet maintenance facility for police, fire, public works, and all other municipal vehicles. The project carries an estimated cost of $26.44 million. The new 40,000-square-foot facility will house all fleet operations under one roof, increasing efficiency, cost savings and safety.
When completed, the facility will feature modern bays, parts storage area, and wash basins built for the larger, more specialized municipal equipment. Currently in the design phase, city leaders are anticipating the release of solicitation documents later this year and construction is slated for 2026.
Officials in Snohomish, Washington, have a new city hall project in the design phase, to be located on a new civic campus. As of September, schematic designs are more than 70% complete for the $55 million project.
Plans call for a new two-story, 35,000-square-foot city hall that will house all municipal staff. The project will also include a separate mechanic shop and vehicle storage facility. Landscaping and hardscaping will connect the new municipal buildings and create a plaza for community events. The civic campus is adjacent to the new fire department, further centralizing city operations. The new campus will improve coordination and provide easier public access to city services.
Final designs and infrastructure plans are expected in 2026, with construction solicitations to be released later next year.
Officials in Greenville, South Carolina, anticipate a $40 million construction and renovation project to deliver a new city hall by 2028. The existing city hall has been in its current location since 1930 and has not been renovated in over 50 years.
Preliminary plans envision a full renovation of the first six floors in the historic building. Floors seven through ten of the building will also be renovated, but only to “warm shell” condition, leaving potential for future capacity. The project will include significant upgrades to many offices, and almost all city departments. The building will be expanded as plans will be designed for an addition to the rear of the existing structure to accommodate new city council chambers and provide a dedicated employee entrance. Renovations will fully replace the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems throughout the building. The project will also improve exterior signage, ADA compliance, and landscaping for the facility.
City officials plan to select a design firm by the end of 2025. Solicitations for a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) are expected in mid-2026, with construction beginning early 2027.
City officials in Avon, Massachusetts, have announced the upcoming launch of a major civic infrastructure project that carries an estimated cost tag of $24 million. The project will deliver a new municipal complex designed to consolidate all essential public functions into a modern facility.
The new complex will combine town hall offices, recreation services, and school administration under one roof. It will also house the Council on Aging. The new facility will be designed to emphasize efficiency and accessibility and provide space for community functions. The building will have energy-efficient systems, modern safety standards, and multi-purpose spaces that can adapt to a variety of civic needs. Planning documents call for flexible meeting areas, improved circulation, and highly durable building materials that will reduce long-term maintenance costs.
In addition to its core services, the complex is expected to act as a focal point for community life, bringing together government, recreation, and senior services into one central, accessible location. The project is currently in design phase with that work finalized by the end of 2025. A solicitation for construction is slated for early 2026.
New Orleans will soon have a new $315 million new city hall and municipal complex. The envisioned facility will replace the current aging, costly-to-maintain city hall and civil district court structures. While design documents are not yet complete, the capital request outlines a vision for a consolidated complex that emphasizes accessibility, durability, and energy efficiency. Current plans outline a structure designed with flexible interior spaces to accommodate future growth, technological upgrades, public gathering areas and highly touted resilient materials, which would be capable of withstanding climate challenges, particularly hurricane and flood risks.
Beyond housing government offices and court functions, the new facility will also serve as a central hub for public engagement. Planning and design will begin in 2026, with solicitations to be issued in 2027.
City officials in Lafayette, Colorado, are anticipating construction of a new state-of-the-art civic center to replace the existing city hall and consolidate core public services in a single, accessible hub. The $34 million project will consolidate core city services in a new civic center on South Public Road.
Plans feature modern service counters, a public lobby, flexible meeting rooms to support community events, and training areas. Alongside the civic center will be a dedicated municipal court that provides secure courtrooms and various types of related support spaces. Council chambers will include hybrid technology for in-person and remote participation. Sitework will improve parking efficiency and access. Construction is slated for late 2026 or early 2027.
Planning documents and new budgets throughout the U.S. indicate that large municipal projects, such as the ones described here, will continue to be an ongoing trend that will lead to hundreds of collaborative contracting opportunities in the next several years. City-wide municipal projects will provide vendors a unique chance to develop the nation’s next civic campuses and shape future services.
Photo by Tom Hilton, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, from Wikimedia Commons