The City of Lafayette hosted the first of three capital bond exploration community meetings on April 2, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers (1290 S. Public Road). City Manager Katie Doling and staff presented an overview of the city’s capital assets, budget constraints, and preliminary concepts for three major facilities: a new Civic Center, renovation/expansion of the Bob Burger Recreation Center, and renovation/expansion of the Service Center. The meeting was recorded, live-streamed, and available on the city’s website. Attendees were invited to provide feedback via sticky notes and an online survey. Public Comments & Testimony Residents asked questions and offered feedback throughout the presentation. Key themes and positions included: - Several residents asked about project timelines, whether all three projects would proceed simultaneously, and whether they should be prioritized based on funding availability. One resident questioned whether taking on all three at once was too much given uncertainties in material costs, interest rates, labor availability, and time overruns. - A resident expressed concern about rising taxes and the presence of empty or blighted spaces in Lafayette, asking whether property taxes would increase and whether the city should focus on existing vacant properties instead of building new. - A resident born and raised in Lafayette expressed concern about preserving the historical significance of the current city hall building (formerly a library and police station) and worried that selling it could result in apartment buildings or vacant strip malls. They asked how the city would balance growth with preserving history. - Another resident suggested that if the civic center project does not move forward, the city-owned land could become a large city park or green space. - One resident expressed full support for updating the Service Center to secure expensive equipment, but said the other two projects were questionable. - A resident raised concerns about potential rec center fee increases after renovations, noting that a past community project (Lamont Dove's) had priced low-income families out and that her community now had no access to the pool. She asked about the distribution of free passes. Staff responded that a fee study is underway to evaluate the reduced-fare program. - A resident asked about adding a traffic light at Spaulding and South Public due to expected traffic from the new civic center; staff said they would coordinate with traffic engineers during design. - A resident suggested the city explore 3D-printed building construction as a more cost-efficient option. - Residents asked about the fate of old buildings if replaced, and what would happen to the purchased civic center land if the bond did not advance. - One resident asked whether annexation projects could be dropped to focus on the proposed projects. - A resident questioned whether community input would be representative or dominated by a small vocal group; staff described multiple engagement methods including surveys, polling, and booths. - A resident asked about the city’s projected population; staff estimated roughly 40,000, as Lafayette is substantially built out. - A resident asked whether the recreation center would be fully closed during construction; staff said phasing would be considered during design. - A resident asked about the impact of tariffs on construction costs; staff said they built flexibility into cost estimates for such unknowns. - A resident asked whether the city had growth scenarios (Plan A/B/C) depending on population changes; staff said projections were based on current trends and would be reconsidered if policy changes occurred. Discussion Items Project Background and Budget - The city manages over 30 public-facing facilities with an insured value exceeding $175 million, maintained by a four-person facilities division. - The 2025 city budget is approximately $121 million; capital expenses make up about 23%, but 84% of capital funds are already dedicated to enterprise funds (water, parks, fleet). Only about 2% of the capital budget goes to facility maintenance, with $200,000–$650,000 budgeted annually. - Staff explained that existing revenue streams are insufficient to address major facility needs, and that population growth (from about 3,500 in 1970 to over 30,000 in 2020) and evolving service demands have outpaced facility capacity. Recreation Center (Bob Burger Recreation Center) - Built in 1990, the center has aging mechanical systems, failing aquatic center infrastructure, outdated pool design, inadequate fitness spaces, and no community use space. - Preliminary concept includes reconfiguring and expanding the aquatic center with a new lap pool, therapeutic warm-water pool, children's zero-entry play area, slide, and lazy river; adding fitness space, a possible rooftop fitness area, senior programming space, and community/teen space; and a potential outdoor pickleball court. - The slide has been closed and is beyond repair; replacement would cost about $500,000. - The aquatic center was closed for six months last summer due to extensive repairs. - Status: conceptual; design and public input needed; estimated 12-month design and 18-month construction. Civic Center (City Hall Replacement) - Current city hall, built in 1985, is 40 years old. It lacks ADA compliance, has code compliance issues, poor energy efficiency, no community meeting space, and limited resident access to staff. - The city purchased land about two blocks north in 2020; preliminary concepts for a new civic center on Public Road include improved pedestrian and connectivity access, green space/park/playground, community meeting space, a one-stop shop for services, and relocation of municipal courts out of the police department. - Energy efficiency estimated 30% better than the current building. - Status: land owned, conceptual design complete; further design and public input needed; estimated 1-year design and up to 2-year construction. Service Center - Built in 1973, the service center is not public-facing but houses parks and public works operations, equipment storage, and maintenance. - Issues: largest fire equipment doesn’t fit; lack of insulation, holes in walls, no climate control; pipes freeze; inadequate electrical capacity; exposed storage; poor staff amenities. - Renovation concept includes site security improvements, reconfiguration of the north end, electrical upgrades, building envelope improvements, and a south addition for expanded maintenance bays and equipment storage. - Status: preliminary designs; additional design needed; estimated 6–8 months design and 1-year construction. Costs and Financing Options - Total estimated project costs: Recreation Center $34 million; Civic Center $34 million; Service Center $6 million; combined $74 million. - Based on a 20-year bond issuance, the city would need about $6 million per year for debt service. - Property tax option: about $300 per year for the average home valued at $685,000. Sales tax option: an estimated 0.85% increase, bringing the sales and use tax to nearly 10%. - Staff noted Lafayette’s sales tax is already high. Key Outcomes - No formal votes or decisions were made at the meeting. - Staff will incorporate community feedback into a report to City Council at the end of May. - If directed, ballot language would be prepared in summer for the November 4, 2025 election. - The next community meeting is April 30, 2025. - An online survey, project website, and brochure QR code were announced for additional input.
