SAMPLE BALLOT FOR CITY OF CANADIAN BOND ISSUE

Canadian voters to decide fate of $2.7m bond issue for renovation of City Hall

In addition to voting on 19 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution in the November 4 election, Canadian residents will weigh in on a proposed $2.7 million bond issue which, if passed, would fund the renovation and modernization of the City Hall and Municipal Auditorium. 

The renovation project would be the first major overhaul of City Hall since its construction nearly a century ago. It has been widely debated on Rant & Rave in Canadian, and in a well-attended public forum held July 30. 

The plan involves refurbishment of the entire exterior and interior of the existing facility, including re-opening of windows; provisions to bring the building into compliance with Americans with Disabilities (ADA) access requirements; and upgrades to electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling (HVAC) deficiencies, and air quality and technology.

The floorplan includes a reconfiguration of office space to provide better access and operating efficiency. The auditorium would be restored to its original state, with an open ceiling and bleacher seating around three sides, and would include an area for catering in order to facilitate events. The auditorium stage would be transformed to provide city council chambers.

A public forum was held by the City Council on July 30, during which the project architect presented detailed information and drawings of the restoration plans, and the public submitted questions about the project's scope and funding. 

In their August 18 meeting, City Council members unanimously adopted an order calling for a bond election to be held in November.

The total cost of the project is anticipated to be approximately $3.6 million. The city has set aside $1 million in reserves for the project, and is proposing a $2.7 million bond issue, to be repaid in estimated $215,000 annual payments. The current tax rate is expected to cover those payments without a rate increase.

See Information Flyer and Architectural Designs Above (Click on Images to Enlarge)

A BRIEF HISTORY OF CANADIAN’S CITY HALL/MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM

The City Hall/Municipal Auditorium has served Canadian since its completion in 1930. Originally, the two-level auditorium—with balcony seating on three sides—doubled as both auditorium and gymnasium, which was the original site of the Canadian Invitational Basketball Tournament. 

A curtained stage at one end of the room was flanked by dressing rooms, and quickly became the site of public gatherings, community plays, conventions, banquets, and eventually even accommodated the historic Fourth of July Turtle Race.

In the 1970s, the ceiling was lowered, closing off the balcony, and the windows were covered. The old stage was removed, and a low platform took its place. 

In the early 1990s, plans were developed by then-City Manager Dean Looper and an 11-member Restoration Committee to improve the facility, with new restrooms, stairways to the mezzanine level, ramps providing entry from City offices and elevator access to both the balcony level and offices on the second floor. The exterior southwestern-style stucco would be removed, revealing the original brick walls. 

The total cost of the project was estimated at $937,340. Those plans faded, along with a search for grants needed to help fund the project. 

In 2013, then-Mayor Rob Talley challenged council members to start thinking about building a new city hall again, and made it his top priority. In 2015, the council contracted with Randall Scott Architects for pre-design services for a new city hall. 

Despite some interest from citizens in exploring possible renovation of the existing structure, then-City Manager Hoyt Manning said the cost of a feasibility study was prohibitive, and Talley criticized the building’s appearance, pointing out that it was unattractive and that anything of historical nature had been covered up.

That plan lost community support when the first exterior design—featuring a “wedding cake design” with a domed clock tower and white columns—was revealed, drawing harsh criticism in letters to The Canadian Record and on Rant and Rave. Months later, a more conservative design was presented with an estimated cost of $2.1 million—not including the cost of demolishing the existing building.

Following a brief flirtation with the idea of moving City Hall to a recently vacated building on Main Street, the council agreed to wait for completion of a new comprehensive long-range plan, that was in development. By May of 2017, Joe Jarosek had been hired as new City Manager, city property values had dropped, the hospital district had just successfully passed a $13.8 million bond issue to build a new nursing home, and the council turned its attention to other needed infrastructure improvements.

POLLING PLACES
ELECTION DAY (NOVEMBER 4)
All Polls Open 7 am-7 pm

Precinct 101
Hemphill County Courthouse 
400 Main St., Meeting Room 202

Precincts 201/202
Fire Station
2 Main Street, Canadian

Precincts 301/302/303
Mesa View Senior Living, Heritage Community Center
106 Teas Circle, Canadian

Precincts 401/402
Sand Sage Room, Exhibition Center
10965 Exhibition Center Road, Canadian