Ficker's proposal would place a new city hall on a site slated for a park next to the main library on Avocado Avenue. Park proponents balked, asking the council not to take away what they call a long-promised community asset.
At a July 11 study session, both sides will explain their views to the council, with a council vote expected July 25.
Ficker will present his plan for a $27.5-million city hall on the 12.5-acre park site, incorporating suggestions he's gotten from the community. He was careful to note that he's not actually proposing specific architecture ? he created a building design as an example, and a one-story building is more cost-effective, he said.
One suggestion Ficker likes is to turn the existing City Hall into an urban park rather than selling it for development. A few facilities, such as the council chambers, could be kept for community use, and plenty of room would be available for a rebuilt fire station, he said.
Even without selling the current site, Ficker said, "The cost of building a city hall above the library there would be a huge saving over trying to cram it on this site down here, but possibly the biggest issue is not having to make these two moves."
To rebuild on the peninsula, city workers would have to be moved elsewhere while construction takes place.
Parks commissioner Debra Allen said that at the study session she'll present the assets of the planned park. A development agreement sets the property aside for open space, and at least one council member said he thinks it should stay that way.
Councilman Ed Selich on Tuesday urged his colleagues to answer the policy question of whether they want to trade a central location for a park, and he still thinks that's the main issue.
