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The City of Dripping Springs has begun a remodeling construction project for City Hall. Last week, city staff moved to temporary workspaces at other city buildings and offices as workers began demolishing the interior walls and ceilings of the City Hall building located at 511 Mercer St.
During the renovation, all City Hall employees, primarily administrative staff, will work from alternate locations to ensure uninterrupted access to city services. The renovation is in response to the city’s growth, with some offices currently housing two or three employees in spaces designed for one. The project will expand office space and modernize the facility.
The project is expected to be completed in spring 2025, and include additional offices, structural upgrades, energy-efficient systems, improved audiovisual capabilities for City Council meetings, and enhanced accessibility features in line with current safety standards.
City employees have been relocated to the following sites: Dripping Springs Development Services, 661 W. Hwy 290, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 Dripping Springs Ranch Park, 1042 Event Center Dr., Dripping Springs, TX 78620 Dripping Springs Visitor Center, 509 Mercer St., Dripping Springs, TX 78620 Phone services remain unchanged, and residents can reach employees at (512) 858-4725. All mail should be sent to P.O. Box 384, Dripping Springs, TX 78620. Packages should be directed to the Dripping Springs Development Services building at 661 W. Hwy 290.
City Council and Board Meetings All public City Council and board meetings will continue to be held in person and virtually but at a new location. Starting Oct. 15, City Council meetings will move to the Dripping Springs Independent School District (DSISD) Center for Learning and Leadership at 300 Sportsplex Dr., Dripping Springs. Meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 6 p.m.
Planning and Zoning Commission meetings will also relocate to the DSISD Center for Learning and Leadership. These meetings take place on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. All other commission and board meetings will be held at the DSISD Center for Learning and Leadership, Dripping Springs Ranch Park Event Center, or virtually. The City Calendar at cityofdrippingsprings. com will have the most up-todate information.
Residents are encouraged to visit the city’s website for details on city services during the renovation, including hours of operation, contact information, and any potential changes to services. City officials are committed to providing uninterrupted services and will work closely with the public to ensure a smooth transition during the temporary relocation.
City staffing growing to keep pace with City growth The city employs 61 full-time and one parttime staff now.. Additionally, new positions have been created to accommodate the city’s growth, including an HR director, lead utility director, assistant parks and community services director, and assistant park manager. The city will also fill vacancies for a senior planner, building inspector, and a full-time code enforcement inspector, which is currently a part-time role.
Staff will continue to work out of the Visitor’s Center, Ranch Park Event Center, Development Services building, and the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Parks & Community Services staff are based at Ranch Park.
Some specialized work is handled by contractors who advise the city or manage spe-cial projects. These include the city engineer, historic preservation consultants, exterior design and architectural standards consultant, TIRZ manager, commercial lighting consultant, landscape architect, and transportation engineer.
Before the renovation, City Hall’s main room was primarily used for city council meetings and other city board and commission meetings. A smaller public meeting space will be included in the new design, as it will remain a public building. The remodeled meeting room will accommodate 4050 people and feature state-of-the-art audiovisual and streaming capabilities for public meetings.
The project is budgeted to cost $1.1 million. Jonestar Construction LLC is the project contractor. Herron Design Studio Architecture, PLLC is the design firm. The renovation is expected to be completed before Founder’s Day on April 25-27, 2025.
For more information on the renovation, call the city at (512) 858-4725.
