Durango, CO: **Durango City Council received a design presentation for the new integrated City Hall and Police Department campus as the project moves into construction.
Phase 1 of construction will begin with contractor mobilization on Oct. 19. Work will include removing non‑contributing structures, protecting historic elements, and initiating structural upgrades.
Updated design elements now better align with community expectations for aesthetics, functionality, and historic preservation.
One change based on public input is the adjustment to the secure parking fence at the Police Department. The original concept called for an eight‑foot fence, but community members expressed concerns about height and neighborhood compatibility. In response, the fence will be reduced to six feet and redesigned with a combination of wrought iron and masonry pillars, with landscape buffering.
The rose garden on the site, a feature with strong community attachment, will be enhanced rather than replaced. Residents emphasized the importance of maintaining visual character, pedestrian comfort, and environmental sensitivity, so additional garden amenities and dark-sky-compliant lighting were incorporated.
Inside the new City Hall, residents influenced decisions on both historic preservation and modern functionality. Community members strongly supported keeping architectural elements of the original high school, including hardwood floors, slate chalkboards, wood doors, and historic light fixtures. These features will now be integrated into the restored building.
“You can really see the community’s fingerprints all over this,” Councilor Jessika Loyer said. “A lot of what people asked for in engagement made it into this design.”
Resident input also guided the color palette and interior finish selections, reinforcing a desire for historically compatible tones that match the city’s environment.
Through open houses, design sessions, online engagement, and board and commission reviews, the city has continued to adapt the project in response to public priorities.
The project remains financially on track, with the current estimates $112,000 under the $61.2 million construction budget.
Throughout construction, Buckley Park and the sledding hill at the park will remain open, with primary construction access routed from 14th Street through East Second Avenue. The city and its contractors will provide ongoing updates and coordinate closely with neighboring residents.
Residents can learn more about the design plans at the Engage Durango Forum on October 27, where project partners will share details on the construction timeline and next steps.
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Media Contact**Tom SluisPublic Information Officer Phone: (970) 375-5090Email: Tom Sluis