Press Release 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 11, 2011
***REVISED April 15, 2011***

Contact:
Una Cooper, Communications Coordinator
301-809-3032 or email ucooper@cityofbowie.org

Bowie City Hall Opens at New Location on April 19th

Bowie City Hall will open in a new location on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 8:30 a.m. Most administrative offices of the City government, including the Police Department, now located at the Kenhill Drive site, will be moving to the new building.

The three-story, 80,000-square-foot facility is located at 15901 Excalibur Road. (at the intersection of Excalibur Road and Evergreen Parkway) near the Bowie Town Center. The existing 39,500-square-foot facility, located at 2614 Kenhill Drive, has served as City Hall since 1978.  After the move the Kenhill Drive building will be known as the Kenhill Center and will house Bowie Youth and Family Services and the Bowie television studio. The Comcast office will also remain at the Kenhill Drive location. 

Space at the existing City Hall location has been at a premium for some time, particularly since the creation of the Bowie Police Department in 2007.  The new building will be larger and more efficient, and it will be the first time that the City of Bowie has ever occupied space designed for the purposes of running the government.

In 2006, the City Council authorized an analysis of space needs. The result was a recommendation that City Hall needed to be an 80,000-square-foot space with a police station. The City then considered three options: 1) expanding the current City Hall property, 2) leasing property in the Market Place, or 3) building on the Town Center site. The latter option was selected.

In 2008 Grimm + Parker Architects was chosen to design the building.  Manekin Construction, builder of several municipal facilities, was the general contractor for the project and ARCADIS provided overall project management support.

The move will take place between Friday, April 15 and Monday, April 18th.  During this time both City Hall facilities will be closed to the public.  The main number for the City government (301-262-6200) will be answered on Friday, April 15th and Monday, April 18th, between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.  The City government will open for service at the new location on Tuesday, April 19th at 8:30 a.m..  All other government facilities will open on time on Monday. 

During the weekend of the move there will be some telephone service disruptions.  Beginning Friday evening at approximately 5 p.m. telephone service to all city facilities, including both City Halls, the Senior Center, the Ice Arena, Public Works, the Parks and Grounds facility, the Water Plant, the Wastewater Plant, and the City Museums will be shut off for the telephone switchover.  Phone service will remain off until the switchover is completed.

If there is a water and sewer emergency or other type of City emergency while the telephone switchover is taking place, callers should dial the City’s answering service at 1-888-296-3821. The answering service will answer calls and relay them to the appropriate City employee.

On Monday, April 18th calls to the main number and to other facilities will be answered according to their regular schedule.  Questions about the City Hall move should be directed to Una Cooper, Communications Coordinator at 301-809-3032 or email ucooper@cityofbowie.org.

A public dedication ceremony and open house at the new City Hall building is planned for Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 10 a.m. 

Bowie City Hall
Building Design Information

Located on a six-acre site with parking for 218 vehicles, the new City Hall building is comprised of a structural steel frame with high density block/brick veneer and glass exterior curtain wall system. With many green features – including a green roof, the facility is designed to achieve LEED Silver Rating.

There are three overall design concepts: 1) element of permanence and stability important for public government reflected by masonry and stone, 2) transparency in government reflected by the glass, and 3) a friendly and inviting feeling conveyed by a curving courtyard area to greet visitors and the use of brick, a traditional warm and friendly material.

With terrazzo floors, warm wood textures and views to the lake behind the building, the two–story, light-filled atrium lobby has a warm and friendly color scheme to complement the character of community. It also features a dramatic staircase and a bridge connecting the two sides of the upper level.

Two stories are visible from the front of the building, and all three stories will be visible from the rear. The Police Department will be located on the lowest level. The main floor will house the Finance and Community Services Departments and the Human Resources Office, as well as the City Council Chambers and a conference room. The second floor will house the City Manager’s Office, the Planning and Information Technology Departments, and a training room.