SPANISH FORT — Within a couple of weeks, ground will be broken on a much-needed city hall complex in Spanish Fort.

The city administration had long since outgrown the 3,500-square-foot former bank building it currently occupies. But the Spanish Fort Community Center will house much more than just the mayor’s office. It will contain a public library, a senior citizen complex, city offices and a large city council chamber, which will also serve as a courtroom and a meeting/banquet hall.

“We started the design process about two years ago,” said mayor Joseph Bonner. “A committee was formed with appointees from each city district. There were a lot of interested people who spent a lot of time on this project.

“We went around to other towns to see what they had and how it was laid out. We knew we wanted a library and a senior center.”

Architect Forrest Daniel of Daphne was chosen from a competitive field of 16 firms to design the 30,000-square-foot structure. Jeff Pate Construction will build the facility. Work is slated to begin “on or before” Oct. 15, according to the 400-plus day contract. The new center should be ready for the public around January 2014.

The outside facade will have a distinct feel of Spanish Mission architecture. Visitors will enter the front doors into the lobby and a great hallway filled with historic displays. The library and senior center will be on the west side of the building.

The center of the building will house the multifunction/assembly room. It will offer more than enough room for city council meetings and municipal court sessions. Both currently have to be held down the road in rented space at the Methodist church.

“By putting everything under one roof, there will not be as much labor costs,” said Bonner. “There will be an overlap of staffing, especially in maintenance and custodial services.”

The process leading to the community center actually began in 2004 when the former mayor and council purchased 15 acres at the intersection of Blakeley Road (County Road 71) and Highway 31. City officials started the process of saving money and have raised $2.8 million to put down on it. That means they only have to finance $5 million.

“It put us in better shape,” said Bonner. “We knew we wanted to amortize it over 15 years, so we asked around to get the best interest rates. With us being a municipality, it offered the option of tax-free bonds.

“We got a great deal. We’ll be paying $35,000 a month for 15 years. That will be paid by revenues from sales tax, ad valorem property taxes and permit fees.”

City officials believe the conservative approach that allowed them to save $2.8 million, will allow the city to repay the loan without taxpayers feeling an additional pinch.

The community center will only take up about a third of the 15-acre parcel. The design committee took the size of the lot into consideration for additional phases. Down the road, plans include a drive connecting the building with Blakeley Road. There will be a community walking trail, an amphitheater with seating and a stage on either side of a retention pond. There are also areas that can be set aside for future city buildings, including public works, fire, police and parks.