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Storyline · 15 events · Nov 2016 – Apr 23, 2025

Moving Amarillo City Hall into the renovated Amarillo Hardware building (2016-2025)

In 2016 voters rejected a municipal-facilities bond proposition. In September 2020 the City Council approved a contract to buy warehouse-district property including the Amarillo Hardware building, and in November 2020, after voters rejected the $275 million Proposition A, it voted to complete the purchase from cash reserves. In June 2021 the council voted 4-1 to publish notice of intent to issue up to $35 million in certificates of obligation; a resident sued and a petition seeking an election was filed, and the certificates were withdrawn in August 2021. In December 2021 the council authorized $23.9 million in financing supplemented with American Rescue Plan Act funds. Renovation began in 2023, the new City Hall at 623 S. Johnson St. opened February 25, 2025, and the City said the 1966 building would be demolished for green space.

A storyline groups dated events in order. It is a chronology, not an argument; it does not say why anything happened. All storylines

Where the story starts depends on the framing

  1. · Precursor

    Voters reject five of seven city bond propositions, including municipal facilities

    In the November 2016 bond election, Amarillo voters approved street and public-safety propositions and rejected five others totaling about $230 million, including a municipal facilities proposition. ABC7 later reported that a 2016 bond proposal for City Hall failed and that the City first identified City Hall as a priority in 2010.[1][2]

    • ✓ Verified

      In November 2016 Amarillo voters approved street ($89.5 million) and public-safety ($20.1 million) bond propositions and rejected five propositions totaling about $230 million, including municipal facilities.[1]

    • Unverified

      Texas Scorecard: Texas Scorecard reported the rejected municipal building improvements proposition at $41.5 million and listed bathroom upgrades to City Hall among its projects.[3]

      Amount
      $41,500,000
    • ✓ Verified

      Jared Miller, City Manager: City Manager Jared Miller said City Hall 'was first identified as a priority in 2010'; ABC7 reported that a 2016 bond election proposal for City Hall failed.[2]

  2. · Origin

    Council approves contract to buy warehouse-district property for a possible new City Hall

    The City Council approved a contract allowing the City to buy property near Grant and Johnson streets in the warehouse district. The Amarillo Hardware building was named as the primary candidate for City Hall. Reported estimates were about $12 million to relocate versus $17-39 million to renovate the existing City Hall.[4][5]

    Ginger Nelson

    • ✓ Verified

      In September 2020 the City Council approved a contract allowing the City to buy property near Grant and Johnson streets in the warehouse district; the Amarillo Hardware building was the primary candidate for a new City Hall, with only part of it to be renovated at first.[4]

    • ✓ Verified

      Reported September 2020 estimates: about $12 million to relocate to the Amarillo Hardware building versus $17 million to $39 million to renovate the existing City Hall.[4]

      Relocate
      $12,000,000
      Renovate existing low
      $17,000,000
      Renovate existing high
      $39,000,000
    • ✓ Verified

      Mayor Ginger Nelson: Mayor Ginger Nelson cited ongoing repairs to the current building and cost efficiency, saying 'it was important to us to take an existing building' and 'We thought that was a better use of taxpayer dollars.'[4]

    • ⚠ Sources differ

      Accounts differ on the scope and price of the warehouse-district purchase.

      Reported value 1[4]

      Properties
      5
      Description
      five properties and land
      Price
      not stated

      NewsChannel10's September 2020 description of the contract.

      Reported value 2[5]

      Properties
      3
      Price
      $4,750,000
      Vote
      unanimous
      Seller
      Rio Canadian Rental Properties

      Texas Scorecard (advocacy) report of the September 2020 vote; it also reported a combined tax appraisal of $974,464.

      Reported value 3[6]

      Price
      $5,500,000
      Approx
      true
      Funding
      cash reserves

      NewsChannel10's report of the November 17, 2020 council vote (dollar figure given as 'about 5.5 million').

  3. · Context

    Voters reject Proposition A, the $275 million civic center bond

    Proposition A, a $275 million bond for the Civic Center and downtown projects, was defeated 62%-38%. Accounts differ on whether a new City Hall was part of the rejected package.[7][8][6]

    Ginger Nelson

    • ✓ Verified

      Proposition A, a $275 million bond for an updated Civic Center in downtown Amarillo, was defeated 62% to 38%, with voters in both Potter and Randall counties rejecting it.[7]

      Bond
      $275,000,000
      Against
      62%
      For
      38%
    • ✓ Verified

      Mayor Ginger Nelson: Mayor Ginger Nelson said, 'I heard the voters say not now, not in this package, and I respect that result,' and 'So now we go back to the drawing board.'[8]

    • ⚠ Sources differ

      Accounts differ on whether the new City Hall was part of the package voters rejected in November 2020.

      Reported value 1[6][5]

      Value
      included

      NewsChannel10 reported the proposed City Hall was part of the $275 million Civic Center plan voters rejected; Texas Scorecard (advocacy) described the $319 million plan the bond would fund as including the new City Hall.

      Reported value 2[2]

      Value
      separate

      ABC7 reported City Hall was kept separate from Prop A because it would be funded with certificates of obligation; City Manager Jared Miller said 'We always made it clear that we were going to issue [certificates of obligation] to do city hall.'

  4. · Related development

    Council votes to buy warehouse-district land and buildings using cash reserves

    Two weeks after the election the council voted to spend about $5.5 million on land and buildings in the downtown warehouse district as a site for a new City Hall. It declined to approve debt for the purchase and used cash reserves; no construction was approved.[6][2]

    • ✓ Verified

      On November 17, 2020 the council voted to buy land and buildings in the downtown warehouse district as a new City Hall site, declined to approve debt for the purchase, and used cash reserves; no construction was approved.[6]

  5. · Related development

    Council votes to hire an architect for the new City Hall

    The council voted to move ahead by hiring an architect. In July 2021 the City described the project as in pre-design under an initial architect contract. Sims + Architects designed the project.[9][2][10]

    Sims + Architects

    • ✓ Verified

      The council voted to move ahead with a new City Hall by hiring an architect; in July 2021 the project was in pre-design under an initial contract with architects.[9][2]

    • ✓ Verified

      Sims + Architects designed the new City Hall; first sketches began in 2021.[10][11]

  6. · Starting point

    Council votes 4-1 to publish notice of intent for up to $35 million in certificates of obligation

    After staff presented options (renovate existing City Hall about $5.5 million, demolish and rebuild about $28.5 million, relocate to the Amarillo Hardware building about $31 million), the council approved publishing notice of intent to issue up to $35 million in certificates of obligation. Councilmember Cole Stanley cast the only vote against. A vote on specifics was set for August 10, 2021.[12][13]

    Ginger NelsonHoward SmithCole StanleyJared Miller

    • ✓ Verified

      Options presented in June 2021: renovate the current City Hall (about $5.5 million), demolish and rebuild (about $28.5 million), or relocate to the Amarillo Hardware building (about $31 million).[12]

      Renovate
      $5,500,000
      Rebuild
      $28,500,000
      Relocate
      $31,000,000
    • ✓ Verified

      The council approved publishing notice of intent to issue up to $35 million in certificates of obligation, with Councilmember Cole Stanley the only vote against; the council set August 10, 2021 to vote on specifics.[12][13]

      Amount
      $35,000,000
      Vote for
      4
      Vote against
      1
    • ✓ Verified

      Councilmember Cole Stanley: Councilmember Cole Stanley said the relocation plan resembled Proposition A and would be the largest certificate of obligation the City had issued.[12]

    • ✓ Verified

      Mayor Ginger Nelson; Councilmember Howard Smith: Mayor Ginger Nelson said, 'The problems in this building got more severe, January, February whenever we had another boiler fail'; Councilmember Howard Smith said upkeep of the current building was costly.[12]

  7. · Trigger

    A resident sues over the City Hall plan, citing the City Charter

    A resident filed suit asking a judge to stop the project, arguing that issuing debt to renovate the Amarillo Hardware building would violate state law and the City Charter after the defeat of Proposition A. The suit cited Article IV, Section 1(d) of the Charter and argued the City must wait three years after a defeated bond.[9][13]

    • ✓ Verified

      The suit argued that issuing debt to renovate the Amarillo Hardware building would violate state law, the spirit of the City Charter and the intent of voters, and that the City must wait three years after the Proposition A defeat. It cited Article IV, Section 1(d) of the Charter, which requires voter approval of bonds before issuance.[9]

    • ✓ Verified

      The plaintiff (a resident): The plaintiff, a local business owner, told Texas Scorecard: 'The crux of my lawsuit is [that] the city council misled the voters in crafting the project.'[13]

  8. · Related development

    Petition seeking an election on the City Hall debt is filed; City sues in Travis County

    A resident submitted a petition he said carried more than 10,000 signatures asking that the project go to voters; the stated threshold was about 5,700. Two days later the City filed suit in Travis County asking a judge to allow it to issue the certificates of obligation.[14][15]

    Jared Miller

    • ✓ Verified

      A resident submitted a petition in July 2021 he said had more than 10,000 signatures asking that the City Hall debt go to voters; the City had 21 days to verify signatures against a threshold of just over 5,700 (5% of the city vote).[14][15]

    • ✓ Verified

      Two days after the petition was presented, the City filed suit in Travis County asking a judge to allow it to issue the certificates of obligation; the petitioner moved to transfer the case to Potter County. The City said it had no comment.[15]

    • ✓ Verified

      Jared Miller, City Manager: City Manager Jared Miller said the verification timeline 'goes beyond the deadline to call an election for November 2021,' putting any election in November 2021 or May 2022.[14]

  9. · Peak

    Council withdraws the $35 million certificates of obligation for City Hall

    The council voted 4-1 on August 24, 2021 to repeal the resolution giving notice of intent to issue certificates of obligation for City Hall (reported by Texas Scorecard as $35 million). ABC7 later reported the City dropped that plan after the petition and lawsuit were filed.[16][17][18]

    • ✓ Verified

      On August 24, 2021 the council voted 4-1 to repeal Resolution 06-08-21-1, which had authorized notice of intent to issue certificates of obligation for City Hall; Councilmember Cole Stanley voted no. Texas Scorecard reported the certificates totaled $35 million.[16][17]

      Amount
      $35,000,000
      Vote for
      4
      Vote against
      1
    • ✓ Verified

      ABC7 reported that the City first planned to issue bonds for City Hall but dropped that plan after a businessman filed a petition and lawsuit.[18]

    • ✓ Verified

      No City statement giving the reason for withdrawing the certificates of obligation was found in fetched sources. Texas Scorecard attributed the withdrawal to the petition and pending litigation; ABC7 reported only the sequence (petition and lawsuit, then the plan was dropped). The site does not assert a cause.[17][18][15]

    • ✓ Verified

      Minutes of the August 24, 2021 council meeting record that the council voted 4-1 to repeal Resolution 06-08-21-1, the resolution authorizing publication of notice of intention to issue certificates of obligation; Mayor Ginger Nelson, Mayor Pro Tem Freda Powell and Councilmembers Eddy Sauer and Howard Smith voted yes, and Councilmember Cole Stanley voted no. The minutes record no stated reason. [16]

  10. · Related development

    Council directs staff to prepare funding options for the Amarillo Hardware renovation

    Staff presented three options: renovate the existing City Hall, renovate a City-owned building, or build new. Councilmembers directed staff to prepare funding options for renovating Amarillo Hardware and to evaluate alternatives that reduce the property-tax impact.[19]

    • ✓ Verified

      On November 9, 2021 staff presented three options (renovate the existing City Hall, renovate a City-owned building, or build new); councilmembers directed staff to prepare funding options for renovating Amarillo Hardware and alternatives to reduce the property-tax impact.[19]

  11. · Related development

    Council authorizes $23.9 million in financing, supplemented with ARPA funds

    Councilmembers authorized $23.9 million in financing for renovating Amarillo Hardware into City Hall, to be supplemented with American Rescue Plan Act funds. Sources differ on whether the instrument was bonds or a bank loan, and on how the 2021 lawsuit ended. The minutes record the ordinance passing 3-1 (Stanley no, Smith absent).[19][18][20]

    Laura Storrs

    • ⚠ Sources differ

      Sources agree on $23.9 million but differ on the financing instrument approved in December 2021.

      Reported value 1[19]

      Value
      bonds

      Councilmembers on December 14 authorized the sale of $23.9 million in bonds, to be supplemented with American Rescue Plan Act funds 'to lessen the tax burden on citizens.'

      Reported value 2[18]

      Value
      bank loan

      The council approved a $23.9 million bank loan the previous year.

      Reported value 3[20][21]

      Value
      tax notes

      Council minutes of Dec 14, 2021 (Ordinance No. 7944, Combination Tax and Revenue Notes, Series 2022); the FY2026-27 budget book lists 'Tax Notes Series 2022 (50% of City Hall project)' dated Jan 11, 2022

    • ⚠ Sources differ

      Sources differ in how they describe the end of the 2021 lawsuit; no date or court ruling was found.

      Reported value 1[19]

      Value
      dismissed

      The $35 million certificate action was delayed by a lawsuit 'until the case was dismissed.'

      Reported value 2[18]

      Value
      dropped

      The lawsuit 'was eventually dropped.'

    • ✓ Verified

      Laura Storrs, Assistant City Manager: Assistant City Manager Laura Storrs said the funds would let the City begin renovation 'almost immediately or after the holiday season.'[19]

    • ✓ Verified

      On December 14, 2021, after a presentation of funding options for renovating the Amarillo Hardware building as City Hall by Assistant City Manager Laura Storrs and a representative of Specialized Public Finance, the council adopted Ordinance No. 7944 authorizing the issuance of "City of Amarillo, Texas Combination Tax and Revenue Notes, Series 2022," payable from an ad valorem tax and a limited pledge of waterworks and sewer system revenues, including approval of a purchase contract. The vote was 3-1: Mayor Ginger Nelson, Mayor Pro Tem Freda Powell and Councilmember Eddy Sauer voted yes, Councilmember Cole Stanley voted no, and Councilmember Howard Smith was absent. The minutes do not state the amount. [20]

    • ✓ Verified

      The City's FY2026-27 proposed budget book debt schedule lists "Tax Notes Series 2022 (50% of City Hall project)," dated January 11, 2022, under both property-tax-supported debt (original issue $11,950,000) and water-and-sewer-supported debt (original issue shown as $2,495,000). Each line shows $2,495,000 outstanding and $2,495,000 of principal (plus $24,950 interest) budgeted for FY2026-27. [21]

      Property tax line original
      $11,950,000
      Outstanding each line
      $2,495,000

  12. · Context

    Demolition of three downtown buildings begins for the City Hall parking lot

    The City began demolishing three downtown buildings to clear space for a parking lot and the area around the planned City Hall; the work was expected to take about three weeks.[22][18]

    Ginger NelsonJerry Danforth

    • ✓ Verified

      On June 14, 2022 the City began demolishing three downtown buildings for a parking lot and the area around the planned City Hall, expected to take about three weeks, with metal, asphalt and concrete to be recycled.[22][18]

  13. · Related development

    Building permit issued; renovation of the Amarillo Hardware building begins

    A $2.6 million building permit for interior demolition was issued April 13, 2023, with Western Builders as construction manager at risk. Interior demolition began May 1, 2023 and was reported complete June 13, 2023, when the projected cost was $33 million.[23][24][11]

    Jerry DanforthWestern Builders of AmarilloSims + Architects

    • ✓ Verified

      A $2.6 million building permit for interior demolition of the Amarillo Hardware building was issued April 13, 2023; Western Builders was the construction manager at risk, and completion was scheduled for the end of 2024.[23]

      Permit value
      $2,600,000
    • ✓ Verified

      Interior demolition began May 1, 2023 and was reported complete June 13, 2023. The council had previously approved $35 million; the projected cost was $33 million after items such as a parking garage were removed due to inflation.[24]

      Approved
      $35,000,000
      Projected
      $33,000,000
    • ✓ Verified

      The state accessibility registration for 'City Hall at Amarillo Hardware' (TABS2023016893) lists owner City of Amarillo, design firm Sims+Architects, estimated cost $28,000,000, start 5/30/2023, completion 6/30/2024, status Project Closed.[11]

      Estimated cost
      $28,000,000

  14. · Resolution

    New City Hall opens at 623 S. Johnson St.

    The City held a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. on February 25, 2025 for the new City Hall in the former Amarillo Hardware Company building at 623 S. Johnson St. Reported total project cost was $35 million; officials said it came in just under budget.[10][25][26][27][28]

    Jerry DanforthDonny HooperSims + ArchitectsWestern Builders of Amarillo

    • ✓ Verified

      The new City Hall opened with a 10 a.m. ribbon cutting on February 25, 2025 at 623 S. Johnson St., in the former Amarillo Hardware Company building.[10][25]

    • ⚠ Sources differ

      Reported cost figures for the project differ by date and by what they measure.

      Reported value 1[25][26]

      Total project
      $35,000,000

      Total project cost reported at opening (February 2025).

      Reported value 2[24]

      Projected
      $33,000,000

      Projected cost reported June 2023 after scope reductions.

      Reported value 3[11]

      Estimated construction
      $28,000,000

      Estimated cost on the state accessibility (TDLR) project registration.

      Reported value 4[19]

      Financing
      $23,900,000

      December 2021 financing authorization, supplemented by ARPA funds.

    • ⚠ Sources differ

      Reported building sizes differ.

      Reported value 1[27]

      Square feet
      150,000
      Usable square feet
      140,000

      Brick & Elm (October 2024).

      Reported value 2[26]

      Square feet
      140,000
      Previous building square feet
      60,000

      ABC7 (February 2025): the City moves from a 60,000-square-foot building to a 140,000-square-foot building.

      Reported value 3[24]

      Square feet
      120,000
      Undeveloped square feet
      40,000
      Previous building square feet
      65,000

      ABC7 (June 2023).

    • ⚠ Sources differ

      City officials described savings from reusing the warehouse shell; reported figures differ.

      Reported value 1[25]

      Savings
      $30,000,000
      Approx
      true

      Reported by NewsChannel10 as close to $30 million in demolition and new construction.

      Reported value 2[27]

      Savings usd min
      $10,000,000
      Months saved
      6

      Reported by Brick & Elm as at least $10 million and about six months.

    • ✓ Verified

      Jerry Danforth, City of Amarillo Director of Facilities and Capital Projects: Jerry Danforth, Director of Facilities and Capital Projects, said, 'Refurbishing the old building was not going to be a viable option.'[25]

    • ✓ Verified

      City of Amarillo officials: City officials said the $35 million project came in just under budget; no exact amount was given.[26]

    • ✓ Verified

      Jerry Danforth; Donny Hooper: Jerry Danforth said, 'Structurally speaking this building is far superior to the old building because of what it was built for,' and described planning for a future population of 300,000; Assistant City Manager Donny Hooper said, 'There's potential for growth throughout this building.'[26]

    • ✓ Verified

      The City's check register records $1,223,733.25 in 12 payments to Sims Architects Inc. between 2024-10-31 and 2025-11-13. The register does not identify the project each payment funded, and it begins in July 2022.[29]

      Total
      $1,223,733
      Payments
      12

      See the payments in the check register →

    • ✓ Verified

      The City's check register records $42,413,713.25 in 53 payments to Western Builders of Amarillo between 2023-04-17 and 2026-01-22. The register does not identify the project each payment funded.[29]

      Total
      $42,413,713
      Payments
      53

      See the payments in the check register →

    • ✓ Verified

      Council minutes place the February 21, 2025 work session in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 601 South Buchanan Street, and the February 25, 2025 regular meeting in the Council Chamber on the third floor of City Hall at 623 South Johnson Street; later 2025-2026 minutes use the 623 S. Johnson address. [30][28]

  15. · Resolution

    City says the 1966 City Hall will be demolished and the site turned into green space

    Assistant City Manager Donny Hooper said the old City Hall, in use since 1966, would be demolished and the site converted to green space, with demolition funding to go through the summer 2025 budget process and the process about six months away. No demolition vote or completion was found in fetched sources as of 2026-10-09.[31][26]

    Donny Hooper

    • ✓ Verified

      The old City Hall opened in 1966. In April 2025 Assistant City Manager Donny Hooper said it would be demolished and the site turned into green space, that other uses were ruled out for safety reasons, that demolition funding would go through the summer 2025 budget process, and that the process was about six months away.[31]

    • Unverified

      No council demolition award or completed demolition of the old City Hall was found as of October 10, 2026. A text search of City Council minutes posted on the City's meeting portal for October 2024 through August 25, 2026 found no item awarding or approving demolition of the old City Hall; the latest fetched news report (April 2025) describes demolition as planned.[31]

    • ⚠ Sources differ

      Reported timing for demolishing the old City Hall differs.

      Reported value 1[26]

      Value
      a few months after the move

      ABC7 (February 2025): the old City Hall will stand for a few months before demolition; the site is planned as green space.

      Reported value 2[31]

      Value
      process about six months away, pending summer 2025 budget

      NewsChannel10 (April 2025), citing Assistant City Manager Donny Hooper.

Related storylines: Financing the Amarillo Civic Center expansion and renovation (2016-2026)Amarillo's property tax rate and voter-approved debt (2016-2026)