Today marks the end of a four-year long journey for the city of Twin Falls.
After years of planning, renovations and construction, residents and city officials are celebrating the grand opening of the new City Hall building today.
And city government employees say it’s more than just a brand new building, the new facility will increase efficiency.
Officials formally cut the ribbon and dedicated the building today.
Public tours have been ongoing all day and so far everyone seems to be really excited about the building, and the growth that it symbolizes for this town.
For the first time in more than a decade, all of Twin Falls city government services will be housed under the same roof.
City Manager Travis Rothweiler says after outgrowing their old building, different city departments were spread across town.
“We’re going to be able to share resources, which will enhance efficiency and collaboration, but most importantly we are going to be that single shop for citizens where they can come in and pay their water bill, they can go up and have a conversation with our general administrative team, they can have conversations with building and economic officials,” said Rothweiler.
“Putting it all together is like one complete package in one place, you are not spread out all over town and you can get a lot more done this way, it’s efficient,” said Twin Falls resident Miles Daisher.
The newly renovated 50,000 square feet City Hall used to be a department store, then a Furniture Gallery that sat empty after the recession until the city purchased it.
Many of the original features are still in place.
The concrete columns are exposed and the old trusses are all original to the building.
“Twin Falls just got bigger, this is great, construction is beautiful, you have got old and new all put together,” said Daisher.
The project cost the city of Twin Falls just under $10 million, which includes turning the old City Hall into a police administration building and revamping the current police station.
“The city used cash reserves to be able to fund these projects so no debt was acquired to finance any portion of it, so these buildings the day that we walk into them are bought and paid for,” said Rothweiler.
After renovations, the new building is expected to serve as Twin Falls City Hall for the next 50 years.
“It’s beautiful, very impressive, very nice,” said resident Jack Tucker.
In conjunction with today’s grand opening of the new City Hall, the Festival of Lights parade is going to kick off tonight and the city’s Christmas tree will be lit, accompanied by music from Twin Fall students.