Punta Gorda is moving forward with adopting plans to update the historic City Hall building at a cost of nearly $16 million, which would be mostly funded by a 1% sales tax. 

When presented with three options Tuesday, most of the City Council chose the most expensive option of adding a third floor. 

City Manager Greg Murray said the issue of replacing City Hall, which was built in 1926 and underwent a major expansion in 1978, was first raised 20 years ago, which preceded several members’ time on Council, including Mayor Lynne Matthews, who is serving her fourth term. 

In 2004, Hurricane Charley shelved plans that were discussed. The discussion picked up again in 2018. Over the next several years, the city moved further along and chose GMC Architects and Chris-Tel Construction after soliciting bids.  

“After 20 years, we need finality,” Murray said.  

Beside lacking accessibility, which is required by law, Murray called City Hall “a sick building” that needs a lot of work. 

Matthews, who was the lone vote for option two, which didn’t include a third floor, rattled off the number of problems the old City Hall has, in addition to being noncompliant with federal law. 

Among her points was safety, stating that in an emergency, there is no way for people to exit Council chambers safely.  

Murray mentioned the dais is cramped, and he has trouble walking behind Council members’ chairs. 

Matthews said there isn’t a large enough meeting room for her to meet with constituents, and she often has to scout around the city to find an appropriate meeting space. 

Currently, city workers are working remotely at about a dozen locations, and Council meets at the Military Heritage Museum. 

“The museum is not our home, and we may not have access over the next two to three years,” Matthews said. “We need to get everybody back in their workspace.” 

Councilwoman Debi Lux suggested moving the Council and staff elsewhere, such as to Herald Court or the old Historic Courthouse. She said restoring the City Hall building is unnecessary. 

Her comments were met with applause, and earlier a couple of members of the public spoke against the city spending the 1% sales tax to fund a new City Hall, including resident Mike Polk, who also is an appraiser. 

Polk said the cost per square foot was extremely high compared to other buildings. “I’ve never seen costs so high as City Hall,” he said. 

Final construction documents are expected to be presented to Council in late December. There won’t be a public meeting until January.