Whitefish prepares to relocate city offices

The city of Whitefish is moving its offices and City Council chambers to another location at the end of August in preparation for the construction of a new City Hall.

City offices will be relocated to Stampede Square at 1005 Baker Ave. starting Aug. 25, and are scheduled to be open for business by Thursday, Aug. 27.

Departments located at Stampede Square will include the city clerk, utility billing, city manager, administration, city attorney, public works, fire marshal and the council chambers.

The Planning and Building Department and Parks and Recreation Department will both remain at 510 Railway St. in Depot Park.

All telephone numbers and email addresses will stay the same, as will the mailing address: P.O. Box 158, Whitefish.

There will be a surplus property auction on Saturday, Sept. 5, starting at 9 a.m. at City Hall, 418 E. Second St., in the former fire department and back parking lot.

The half block where City Hall currently is situated will be fenced off beginning Tuesday, Sept. 8. The parking lot behind City Hall — which includes some public parking —will be closed as of Sept. 8.

 Asbestos abatement of the existing City Hall will be completed during September and demolition of the buildings is scheduled for October, according to Whitefish City Manager Chuck Stearns.

Whitefish is building a new $14.8 million City Hall and parking structure. Tax-increment finance district revenue that’s been saved for the project, plus a multimillion-dollar tax-increment bond will pay for the new facility.

The city expects to spend another $1 million for the interim City Hall office space and other associated costs.

Martel Construction is the general contractor.