New City Hall

In late August 2024, the City completed a nearly nine-month process to take full ownership of the facility formerly occupied by the Hill Country University Center with the intent to covert the 26,000 square foot space into the town’s new City Hall.

The site at 2818 E. U.S. Hwy. 290 will be known going forward as the City of Fredericksburg’s East Campus, while the current City Hall building will become the Downtown Campus at 126 W. Main St. with expanded Fire/EMS capabilities and Police Department offices.

Over the next several months, plans for turning the facility from an educational space into a municipal building were finalized. Construction started in late May 2025 with the renovation slated for completion in December 2025. Delays have now caused the completion schedule to be shifted to early 2026.

Starting in October 2024, City Council meetings as well as meetings of several boards and commissions will take place in the facility's Community Room. On March 3, 2026, the City Council met for the first time in the new Council Chambers, marking the end of Phase I of construction and the start of Phase II. However, all other City services, functions and departments, which have historically been housed in City Hall, will continue at the Downtown Campus until renovations have been completed.

TIMELINE

Aug. 30, 2024 - City Completes Purchase of Hill Country University Center Facility
Sept. 3, 2024 - City Council Passes Resolution 2024-11
- Authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute an Agreement for Professional Architectural Services for the Renovation and Remodeling of the Former Hill Country University Center Educational Building located at 2818 US 290 East into a New City Hall for the City of Fredericksburg with SKT Architects, PLLC in an amount not to exceed $150,000.00.
Sept. 17, 2024 - City Council Holds Final Meeting at Law Enforcement Center
Sept. 19, 2024 - City's First Official Event at the East Campus
- City staff were invited to tour the new facility and learn about the plans for construction.

Oct. 2, 2024 - City's First Official Meeting at the East Campus
- The Planning and Zoning Commission met for a regular meeting in the Community Room.

Oct. 15, 2024 - City Council's First Meeting at the East Campus.
- The town's City Council met in regular session for the first time in Community Room.
Oct. 18, 2024 - City Staff and SKT Architects Initial Site Walk.
- After several conference calls to discuss floor plan layout, City staff met with Brandon Weinheimer of SKT Architects at the facility to discuss options for various departments.
Nov. 13, 2024 - First City Council and County Commissioners Joint Meeting
- The Fredericksburg City Council and Gillespie County Commissioners met jointly at the new facility for the first time to discuss Fire/EMS operations and a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ).
Nov. 15, 2024 - City Staff and SKT Architects Meet to Discuss Floor Plan
- Assistant City Manager Garret Bonn and Brandon Weinheimer of SKT Architects meet to discuss the floor plan for the renovated facility.
Dec. 10, 2024 - City Staff Meet with Architectural Consultant Allegion
- The City's IT Department and other staff met with representatives from Allegion to talk about exterior and interior door systems.
Jan. 8, 2025 - City Staff and SKT Architects Work to Finalize Floor Plan
- Assistant City Manager Garret Bonn and Brandon Weinheimer of SKT Architects meet to discuss the floor plan, amenities, finishes and colors in the renovated facility.
Jan. 14, 2025 - City Staff, SKT Architects and Keener Engineering Services Meet
- Assistant City Manager Garret Bonn, Brandon Weinheimer of SKT Architects and Todd Keener of Keener Engineering Services meet to discuss electrical, plumbing, security and HVAC systems at the facility.
Feb. 18, 2025 - City Staff & SKT Architects Preview Furniture, Colors and Flooring
- Assistant City Manager Garret Bonn and Brandon Weinheimer of SKT Architects look over tile, carpet and paint samples.
Feb. 21, 2025 - Invitation to Bid Posted
- The City posted that until 2:00 p.m. local time on Wednesday, April 2, bids for the remodel project would be accepted.
March 10, 2025 - Final Bid Documents/Contract Posted
- The City posted the bid documents for the project.
March 13, 2025 - Pre-Bid Meeting
- The City hosted more than 25 individuals with contractors across the region for a review of plans and a tour of the facility during the Pre-Bid Meeting.
March 19, 2025 - Final Selections for Furniture and Color Schemes Take Place
- The City & SKT Architects select finishes for furniture and make plans to preview color selections on site.
April 2, 2025 - Bid Openings for Project Happen at Current City Hall
- Eight general contractors submitted bids to renovate the facility with Tegrity Contractors being the apparent low bidder.
April 15, 2025 - City Council Approves Construction & Furniture Contracts
- Tegrity Contractors & DCInteriors Office Furniture were unanimously selected for the New City Hall at East Campus Remodel Project.
April 30, 2025 - Initial Introduction Call Between City, General Contractor & Architect
- An introductory call between the officials that will oversee the remodel of the facility.
May 5, 2025 - Initial Site Visit Between City, General Contractor & Architect
- Tegrity Contractors, SKT Architects and City officials met at the site to discuss the start of demolition and renovation.
May 28, 2025 - Pre-Construction Meeting
- Tegrity Contractors, subcontractors, SKT Architects and City officials met at the site to discuss the start of demolition and renovation.
May 29, 2025 - Construction Begins in a Phased Approach
- Itz Electric and demolition crews began to work on the former lab space, which will be the new City Council chambers.
June 11, 2025 - Demolition Work Continues in Phase 1
- The new Council Chambers are starting to take shape with furniture, walls and vent hoods removed.
June 17, 2025 - City Council Approves Contracts for Audio/Visual, Security and Network Infrastructure
- In its regular meeting, the City Council approved three staff recommended contracts.
June 19, 2025 - Conversion of Classrooms to Offices Begins
- Construction crews have begun to put framing into place that will turn larges classrooms into multiple offices.
June 25, 2025 - Initial Call Between City & Sign Contractor
- City officials, SKT Architects & Aetna Sign Group talked about timelines, design process and budget for interior & exterior signage at the facility.
June 26, 2025 - Renovation Work Continues With Dry Wall Installation
- Construction crews have begun to put up drywall to close in previous door locations.
- July 8, 2025 - Renovation Work Continues With Plumbing Installation
  - The building will feature a shower/family restroom to allow for the facility to be used as a shelter in times of emergency.
- July 10, 2025 - Renovation Work Continues With Electrical Installation
  - Crews are installing electric box plugs in offices as dry wall continues to be installed.
- July 16, 2025 - Council Chambers Begin To Take Shape
  - The ceiling structure of the new Council Chambers has been reshaped to allow the space to feel larger.
  - August 1, 2025 - Repainting Occurring on Exterior of Facility
    - Certain exterior areas of the building are getting a fresh coat of paint prior to the reopening of the facility.
  - August 4, 2025 - Installation of Insulation in Utility Billing Area
    - Crews are installing insulation in newly formed areas of the building that will house Utility Billing.
  - August 12, 2025 - Structural Beam Installed in New Council Chambers Entrance
    - Crews have placed the largest new structural beam to provide a larger entrance to the City Council chambers.
  - August 18, 2025 - Saw Cutting Meeting in Council Chambers
    - City Staff, Itz Electric and A/V contractors met to discuss needed cuts to the floor to power the technology in the Chamber.
  - August 21, 2025 - Signage Package Finalization in Process
    - Aetna Sign Group is working to finalize the overall signage package for the new facility, including interior and exterior signage.
  - August 28, 2025 - Saw-Cutting Underway
    - Crews are cutting up portions of the floor to run new plumbing to a family bathroom in the lobby of the facility.
  - September 23, 2025 - Initial Inspections of Electric & Plumbing Completed
    - The City Building Official, Michael Erwin and Building Inspector Kyle Staudt spent the morning inspecting all of the work done so far at the facility.
  - Friday, October 3, 2025 - Outdoor Details Being Finalized for Initial Meeting in New Council Chambers
    - Signage, landscaping and finishes are starting to be implemented, including a new enclosure for dumpsters.
  - Thursday, October 9, 2025 - Concrete Poured in Areas of Building
    - The slab in some areas of the building was cut to allow for the installation of technology and plumbing. Those areas were filled back in to allow finishes to happen in Phase 1 of construction.
  - Thursday, October 16, 2025 - Tape & Floating Underway
    - Subcontractors are tape and floating Phase 1 of the project, so painting can begin.
  - Tuesday, October 21, 2025 - Exterior Work Continues
    - City crews from Public Works and Parks & Recreation cleaned up trees and floor beds at the site in preparation for the opening.
  - Wednesday, November 5, 2025 - Paint Going Up In Phase 1
    - Subcontractors began to confirm paint colors in Phase 1 of the project.
  - Friday, November 7, 2025 - Wall Art Showing Mayoral History
    - A crew from SIDesign out of Waco, Texas install a graphic wall showcasing all of Fredericksburg's mayors.
  - Wednesday, November 12, 2025 - Utility Billing Office Construction Continues
    - Utility Billing Analysts will be able to accept in-person payments at the New City Hall.
  - Friday, November 21, 2025 - Dais Construction Commences
    - The new Council Chambers will have a raised platform that features seating for nine.
  - Tuesday, December 2, 2025 - Lobby Painting Nearing Completion
    - The main lobby of the new City Hall has received a new coat of paint, transforming the space.
  - Tuesday, December 9, 2025 - Technology Work Commences in Council Chambers
    - Wire is being run in the new Council Chambers to support live streaming of future meetings.
  - Tuesday, December 16, 2025 - Executive Session Chamber Lighting Installed
    - Located off the main Council Chambers, the executive session chamber has special lighting.
  - Tuesday, December 23, 2025 - Exterior Signage Installed
    - Just in time for Christmas, the site is outfitted with new entry and exterior building signage.
  - Monday, December 29, 2025 - Furniture Delivery
    - A shipment of furniture arrived and will be stored in the lobby until it is ready for installation.
  - Wednesday, January 7, 2026 - Council Chambers Starting to Near Completion
    - Carpet, dais and ceiling tiles start to show progress in the Council Chambers.
  - Thursday, January 15, 2026 - Council Chambers Finishes Taking Place
    - Tile work, wood staining and furniture delivery all occurring as February 3 meeting date approaches.
  - Wednesday, January 21, 2026 - Council Chambers Interior Signage Installed
    - Aetna Sign Company installed logos and branding in Phase 1.
  - Wednesday, January 28, 2026 - Council Chambers Technology Installed
    - New displays have gone up in the Council Chambers.
  - Friday, February 13, 2026 - Council Chambers Countertops Installed
    - The dais is being finalized with an anticipated first meeting on March 3.
  - Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 - Final City Council Meeting in Community Room
    - With March 3 scheduled as the first meeting in the new space.
  - Friday, February 20, 2026 - Council Chambers Breakroom Countertops Installed
    - Plumbing could proceed once the countertops were installed.
  - Thursday, February 26, 2026 - Additional Branding and Signage Added to the Space
    - Logos, artwork and historically significant items now grace the halls of Phase I.
  - Tuesday, March 3, 2026 - First City Council Meeting in new Council Chambers
    - For the first time since the 1990s, the City Council met in a space dedicated to hosting official City meetings.