Aug 24, 2007 11:15 am US/Eastern
Homestead Breaks Ground On New City Hall
Groundbreaking Exactly 15 Years After Hurricane Andrew
Homestead Is The Fastest Growing City Of Its Size In the Nation
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HOMESTEAD (CBS4) ―
The City of Homestead broke ground Friday morning on a new City Hall, exactly 15 years after Hurricane Andrew roared ashore and destroyed most of the city.
The groundbreaking in the downtown area is a vital sign of economic turnaround and growth for the area which has become the fastest growing city of its size in the nation.
57,000 people now call Homestead home. Back in 1992, when the category 5 Hurricane Andrew hit shortly before dawn, the city's population was estimated at 26,000. The storm claimed 23 lives and caused more than $26 billion in damage.
The city was devastated but over the last 15 years, it has been rebuilding and more than 12,000 new homes have been built in the past 5 years, bringing the appraised property value to over $3.5 billion.
To meet the demands of a growing city, the City Council approved the construction of a new City Hall.
The three-story, 79,580 square foot structure will house most city departments and the Council Chambers which will seat 300. The 2nd floor will also house an Emergency Operations Center that is designed to withstand Category 5 hurricanes.
The building is clad in panels of architectural cast stones and impact resistant glass, topped by a copper roof. The site development also includes an oak grove, a fountain court and an arcade along Washington Avenue suitable for art festivals and community events. Construction is expected to last for approximately 16 months.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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