Falls Church City Hall Renovations Move Forward This Winter

FALLS CHURCH, VA—City Hall renovations will begin as the Falls Church City Council approved the construction contract with a 5-2 vote Monday. It awarded the contract to HITT Contracting and set a guaranteed maximum price of $13.35 million.

The construction and renovations will include a secure one-level parking garage for law enforcement, a central front entrance, east and west wing connections, and building code and ADA renovations.

The garage will allow police officers and sheriff’s deputies to securely transport weapons and prisoners, and for court personnel to safely enter and exit. The new central front entrance will reduce confusion over the current four entrances, based on resident feedback, as well as improve security. Two new hallways and meeting rooms moved near the central entrance will further enhance convenience to public services.

Other renovations are required to comply with the building code and update for ADA accessibility, including creating shelter-in-place locations for the public and staff, upgrading electrical, sprinklers, plumbing, and ADA, replacing the 60 year-old HVAC and replacing the generator.

The council's motion added $350K in additional funding to add a green living wall on the garage, an open ceiling design and window wells.

City Hall renovations were last completed in 1986. The entire City Hall is expected to shut down in April, moving city services temporarily to an office building at 400 N. Washington Street. Officials hope to have renovations complete in late 2019.

Rendering of living wall on parking garage via City of Falls Church