18.8 Million Dollars?! Here’s Why Waterloo Won’t Rebuild City Hall

Downtown Waterloo’s Major Transformation Is Underway

The landscape of Downtown Waterloo is in the middle of a major reformation that has been years in the making.

Why Is Waterloo Moving City Hall?

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In 2017, the city of Waterloo conducted a building assessment and determined that City Hall is the second most "troubled" building in the area, according to a report from the Waterloo Courier.

The Surprising History of Waterloo’s City Hall Building

This report dives into the history of the current Waterloo City Hall building.

Built as a Bomb Shelter in the 1950s

It was actually built back in the 1950s as a bomb shelter and seems to have multiple issues.

Waterloo City Departments Set to Relocate

In the very near future, all city departments will make a move out of the two municipal buildings located on Mulberry Street in Downtown Waterloo. 

Where Will Waterloo’s City Hall Move?

At the end of last year, the Waterloo City Council decided to move City Hall. The plan is to move the operations to the former Courier building at 100 E. Fourth Street, according to reports.

Why Not Rebuild at the Original Site?

Initially, there were talks to rebuild a new City Hall building at the same location on Mulberry Street.

The Price Tag for a New City Hall Was Too High

An official from the city’s community planning and development department estimated that it would cost about $18.8 million, according to the Courier report.

The relocation project was approved with a $489,000 investment at the most recent Waterloo City Council meeting, according to a report from KWWL. 

What’s Included in the $489,000 Budget?

The $489,000 project budget will be used to: renovate the office space and will cover the cost of a structural analysis of the building.

When Will the Move Happen?

There is no word on the official move in date or when work will begin on the renovations on the old Courier building. We will keep you updated as more information is released, and the project moves forward.

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