The Creve Coeur Government Center building, which opened in 1951 as Weber Elementary School under the Parkway School District, has undergone numerous updates throughout its history. Despite these efforts, the aging structure continues to face significant challenges including deteriorating electrical systems, roof damage, and various other expensive maintenance concerns.
A feasibility study conducted in May 2014 evaluated the necessity for constructing a new government center, as outlined on the Creve Coeur website. Discussions about building a replacement facility have occurred periodically over the preceding twelve years.
During the City Council meeting on April 27, the proposal resurfaced with considerable momentum as three separate resolutions achieved unanimous approval.
The initial resolution authorized Archimages Inc. to create a conceptual design proposal for the new government center at a cost of $59,500.
Jim Heines, Interim Director of Public Works, noted that Archimages had previously served as a consultant during the city’s police building construction initiative. Following completion of that project, city officials redirected their focus toward the government center development.
“We made progress on the project, then we had to postpone it due to budgetary constraints,” Heines explained. “We’re now moving forward with the project again and we’re working with the same architect who completed all the previous design work, resuming from where we stopped.”
A second resolution brought Navigate Building Solutions LLC into the project for an additional $30,846 to handle project development and provide cost estimation services.
The third resolution would permit the city to reimburse itself for expenses related to the project. Based on a communication from City Administrator Kris Simpson, the city intends to finance the complete project through a general obligation bond, and the third resolution would authorize the city to reimburse previously incurred project costs once the bonds receive approval.
According to Melissa Bradford, Public Information Officer, the new government center will be constructed on the existing site. The construction timeline is estimated at approximately 18 months, with the anticipated completion date in spring 2029.
