City of Ontario Opens Renovated City Hall

June 6, 2011 - PRLog -- At 30 years of age, the approximately 50,000-square-foot Ontario City Hall building was dated, inefficient, and no longer capable of serving the community in a cost-effective way. Demonstrating its foresight for continued growth and success, the City of Ontario committed to a $21.9 million, 19-month demolition and construction process to renovate its City Hall, located at the heart of the City’s historic downtown.

The state-of-the-art facility, re-opened on Monday, June 6, 2011, is one of the most significant projects constructed in Ontario this year. The City worked with architect Robert Borders & Associates and 28 contractors, all managed by Turner Construction as Construction Manager. The renovation added 3,000 square feet of space to the building, now totaling 55,000 square feet, with a new City Clerk's area, new elevator and lobby; along with making the existing footage much more efficient.

A significant improvement is the fact that the new building is designed for Silver LEED certification. LEED or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is an internationally-recognized green building certification system. Ontario is committed to providing leadership in sustainable practices that reduce its carbon footprint, make economic sense, and provide value to the community as part of its Complete Community vision. As part of this commitment, the City has been engaged in implementing more sustainable ways of doing business, from recycling and water conservation efforts, to creating more livable urban spaces, including its downtown revitalization efforts, mandated Climate Action Plans, and other energy conservation efforts. The new City Hall will dramatically improve efficiencies that translate to saving energy, and saving money, while providing first-hand experience regarding the most effective ways to incorporate sustainable practices into a built environment.

“Ontario is ‘thinking ahead’ as our city anticipates continued growth for the next 25 years and prepares for the different opportunities and challenges that brings. With our new general plan, we have implemented a vision that maintains Ontario’s role as the economic and employment hub of the Inland Empire,” said Mayor Paul Leon.

Some of the sustainable components of the City Hall renovation include:
   Floor, carpets and materials with high (%) recycle content – reduces use of raw materials
   Paints and coating with low amounts of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s)- improves indoor/outdoor air quality
   PVC-Free upholstery – post consumer recycled - reduces use of raw materials
   Energy-Efficient lighting and fixtures – reduces energy needs 12.5% reduction from traditional lighting (which equates to $33,000/yr saving)
   Variable-Speed HVAC system – reduces energy needs/increases efficiency of systems
   Improved day lighting – reduces energy needs/increases worker productivity
   High-Efficiency restroom fixtures waterless urinals, low flow toilets – reduces water and energy use
   Building Management system/server/data upgrades – improves efficiency of community services and reduce energy use
   Plants with high toxin-filtering abilities – increases optimum air quality
   Drought-tolerant landscaping and automated sprinkler system  – reduces water use and provides outreach opportunity
   Outdoor-designated recycling area – reduces use of raw materials and supports recycle program
   Low-emitting vehicle and HOV designated parking and bike racks – supports alternative modes of transportation

The efficiencies achieved through the renovated City Hall building will provide an improved public community meeting place within a campus of facilities as well as preserve an iconic landmark. The renovation is also part of a larger plan to re-distribute services among underutilized existing facilities throughout the City.

# # #

About The City of Ontario: The City of Ontario is Southern California’s Next Urban Center. Located just 35 miles from Los Angeles, Ontario is uniquely positioned as the “economic engine” of one of the fastest growing regions in the United States. Ontario is home to Ontario International Airport, and an incomparable transportation system of three major freeways and two railroads that provide access to the region, the nation and the globe. With a highly skilled local talent base and lower cost space than coastal counties, Ontario, California is the place to do business. For more information, visit www.OntarioThinksBusiness.com.