After nearly 55 years, Athens is due for a new city hall.

Monday, four architectural firms responded to City Council requests for proposals. The council met with the firms, Krebs Architecture of Birmingham; Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood of Birmingham and Huntsville; CMH Architects of Birmingham, and Godwin Barnett of Decatur in four sessions throughout the day.

The council is considering one of two options: renovating and enlarging the existing Municipal Building at Hobbs and Marion streets, or tearing down the old building and building a new.

Krebs’ designs are now familiar with the Athens public. The firm designed the Athens Police Department building on East Hobbs Street, Fire Station No. 2 off Lindsay Lane and Fire Station No. 3, currently under construction off Roy Long Road.

Bob Gray of Krebs told the council that building costs are going down with one job he had priced out a year ago in Birmingham now costing some 20 percent less.

He said in today’s market it’s cheaper to level the old building and build a new building. He said his preliminary plans show a building larger than current needs.

Public Works Director James Rich asked if part of the building could be left unfinished.

“Is there a need to build out if we don’t need it,” asked Rich. “Is there a down side to this?”

“You’re already paying for the roof,” said Gray. “I say go ahead and build at today’s costs.”

Gray said a new Athens municipal building was the first job he had talked to city officials about several years ago. The city decided against going ahead with the project then, but hired Krebs to do the design for the new police station.

Krebs’ preliminary design for the municipal building has certain similarities with the police station. It is a two-story structure, which would sit closer to the curb, but be shorter in length, doing away with the old police wing to add more parking.

The firm of Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood is also familiar to local officials and residents. The firm just completed the signage project for the 112-mile Limestone County Two Wheel Trail. They are also lead architects for the Robotics Center.

The company was originally a civil engineering firm before branching out into architecture and currently employs 300 between its Birmingham and Huntsville offices. Much of the firm’s business is in designing K-12 schools.

“This is a good time to bid,” said Jeffrey Brown, who would be project manager on the municipal building if the city hires the firm. “Everyone is hungry.”

Rich, who works with both the Spirit of Athens downtown rejuvenation group and the Athens Historical Committee, told Brewer that a new municipal building must fit in with existing buildings.

“We want the new building fitting in with downtown architecture,” said Rich. “Lots of glass doesn’t blend with our historical district. We need to pull in quality materials. It might be a little bit more, but we are building for the long haul.”

CMH Architects Executive Vice President said the company prides itself on a .05 percent change-order record. Change orders substantially add to expense and time overruns on projects.

The firm, which is currently working with the board and foundation of Athens-Limestone Public Library on the renovation designs for the old Kroger building. Vice President Michael Tillman is a LEED certified architect.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), provides a set of standards for environmentally sound construction.

The company recently completed the Building Sciences structure at Auburn University employing LEED standards of energy conservation.

“We don’t have a certain style,” said Hatcher. “We fit with the every neighborhood we build for.”

Godwin Barnett, a six-member firm based in Decatur, is currently working with Athens Bible School on a design for a new school. The firm also designed the new $22 million Morgan County Jail, its façade in keeping with downtown Decatur buildings.

“We are relationship people,” said John Godwin. “We build for a community buildings that are meant to last longer than you will be here. We design for the long haul.”

Council President Ronnie Marks said the council would not be making a choice in firms for several weeks, but Rich indicated that which ever firm the city chooses, should be able to begin work by October 1.