Newark is one major step closer to realizing its voter-approved vision for a new Civic Center. At a “golden shovel” event Thursday, officials from the City of Newark, Alameda County, the California State government, and the project team—design firm Perkins&Will and general contractor Webcor—broke ground on the $72.3 million complex. When completed in two years, it will house the Newark City Council Chambers, administration services, a public library, and a police station, including an emergency dispatch center and training facility. The future Newark Civic Center will be the first major redevelopment of municipal offices here in over half a century.
“This groundbreaking ushers in the newest chapter in Newark’s history,” said Mayor Alan Nagy. “While the original City Hall has served us well for more than 53 years, it is time for new facilities that will better meet the needs of our growing community. The people of Newark recognized the need and voted for a mechanism to fund the new facilities, so this is a wonderful occasion for our residents and businesses. Out of the ground we turn today will rise new facilities where the people’s business will be conducted far into the future.”
The Civic Center will consist of three modern, safe, energy-efficient buildings, as well as a new central plaza, which will serve as a multi-function community event space and public destination. The project’s design stems from a careful analysis of the site and its history. In fact, as an homage to the history of Newark, stained-glass artwork from the existing City Hall will be reused at the entry to each of the new buildings.
