Mayor Tomlinson’s new Government Center commission schedules 4 public forums

The Mayor’s Commission on New Government and Judicial Building will hold four simultaneous forums for public input on what should happen to the building.

The meetings will be held Tuesday, Sept. 19, 5:30 to 7 p.m., at the following locations:

• Government Center (Plaza Level), 100 E 10th Street
• Citizen Services Center (Community Room), 3111 Citizens Way
• Frank Chester Rec Center, 1441 Benning Drive
• Psalmond Rd. Rec Center, 6550 Psalmond Road

The commission has been meeting since February 2017 to discuss what changes, if any, should be made to the 46-year-old structure. Members are currently considering three scenarios and hope to make a recommendation to Columbus Council sometime in October. The three options are renovation of the existing tower and wings, renovation of the tower only and total new reconstruction.

Architects from 2WR and Hecht Burdeshaw Architects presented conceptual site studies at a recent meeting. They said the cost to renovate the tower and two wings (Scenario 1) would cost about $100,430,602, when demolition, construction and start-date of the project are taken into account. The cost for renovating the tower for judicial purposes and building a new city office building (Scenario 2) would cost $105,417,822. The cost for constructing two new buildings (Scenario 3) would cost $115,506,520.

“A representative from the city along with other commission members will be on site at each (forum) location to answer questions,” according to a news release issued by the city. “Attendees will be asked to provide written comments and to rank their preferred option for the future of the existing Government Center. The response cards will be added to the public comment section of the Commission’s final report and advisory proposal to Council.”

This story was originally published September 13, 2017 at 2:45 PM with the headline "Mayor Tomlinson’s new Government Center commission schedules 4 public forums."