Hindman dedicates city hall addition
The addition was constructed primarily using sustainable materials.
Published March 25, 2010
The ribbon was officially cut on a $21 million addition to the downtown Daniel Boone Building, home of City Hall, on Wednesday night.
The dedication ceremony included a performance by the Mid-Missouri High Steppers and remarks from Mayor Darwin Hindman and City Manager Bill Watkins. It concluded with a ribbon cutting by Hindman and current and former city officials.
In his remarks, Watkins thanked everyone involved in the building project.
“I thank the City Council and Mayor Hindman for recognizing the need for additional and improved space and the better customer service the new building will allow,” Watkins said.
He said the building will provide administrative space for many years and allow plenty of room for growth.
After mentioning voters had twice rejected the building project, Hindman thanked the Public Building Committee and former City Council for “having the good sense and political nerve” to spearhead the project.
“As we look around this beautiful building, I think we can all have a sense of pride,” he said.
Hindman, serving his final weeks as mayor, won’t be spending much time in the new space.
“I’m going to be enjoying my new offices for a total of about 30 days,” he said.
The addition includes many environmentally sustainable features. The city estimates it will use 43 percent less water and 29 percent less energy than conventional buildings.
Most of the products used in construction of the building release little or no volatile organic compounds into the air, improving the indoor air quality.
The building utilizes many recycled and rapidly renewable resources, such as bamboo wall panels, natural linoleum, recyclable carpet and countertops decorated with pieces of recycled beer bottles.
Hindman said the city hopes to earn a LEED gold rating for the project.
The first floor of the five-story addition includes a visitor information desk, council offices and the council chambers. Hindman said the building will be an inviting landmark, especially when the planned street-scaping is completed.
“It will have a powerful impact on people’s pride in our already great downtown,” he said.
Administrative assistant Sherry Shettlesworth moved her office into the third floor of the new addition Feb. 8.
“It’s pretty nice to be in it,” she said. “Carpet, paint, everything, is totally different. We have a lot more room.”
Columbia residents William Hobbs and Mary Hobbs came to the dedication ceremony just to see the new building.
“It’s very nice,” Mary Hobbs said. “It makes downtown more attractive, and it increases efficiency.”
William Hobbs said he was disappointed the cost of the project was not mentioned in the dedication remarks. He was concerned the building might not have been a good use of city funds.
“You’ve got to consider all those nice things in light of what they cost,” William Hobbs said.
According to previous Maneater reports, the entire addition and renovation project is projected to cost roughly $21 million.
The next phase of the project, which has already begun, includes a complete renovation of the old Daniel Boone Building. Work is beginning on the outside of the Daniel Boone Building, which will be painted to match the color of the new addition.
Landscaping and public art will also be added to the area. Watkins said he hoped it would become another gathering place for Columbia residents.
Both Watkins and Hindman said they hoped to attend another ribbon cutting within a year celebrating the completion of the entire project.