The City of Carlsbad currently operates out of more than a dozen locations, some of which are approaching the end of their useful life. In 2016, the city began planning for a new consolidated city hall where the main administrative functions of the city could operate out of one location that also provides better meeting spaces including a larger City Council chamber and shared indoor and/or outdoor community spaces.

However, due to inflation and supply chain issues, construction costs for a centralized City Hall are now more than the amount the city estimates would be generated from developer fees to pay for it. In addition, the COVID pandemic has greatly accelerated the shift to remote work, virtual meetings and online collaboration, meaning the city’s office space needs have also changed. 

Rather than consolidate a new city hall and civic center on one city-owned property, where there was no clear consensus among community members about which location is best, the plan focuses on rebuilding City Hall and the Cole Library at their current locations but keeping the Faraday Administration Center.

This hybrid option means:

• A larger, modern City Council Chamber
• New community meeting rooms and spaces
• A larger Cole library
• Continued city services at Faraday, centrally located in the city 

The city knew it would eventually need a new city hall and has money set aside already. 

The hybrid option selected by City Council allows the city to construct the new city hall in its current location with existing funds generated from developer fees and still have funds leftover to use on other projects, such as Veterans Park, the city’s Public Works yard & storage, and the Cole Library rebuild and expansion.

The city can also proceed with selling other properties that had been kept as potential City Hall locations and use that money toward the project. 

During the first phase of public input in 2018, community members told the city what kinds of civic uses they’d like to see in a new city hall and civic center.

During the next phase of public input, which occurred November – December 2020, feedback was given on four potential city-owned locations that could be used for the new city hall and civic center.

The public input summary report will be presented to the City Council for determination of next steps. 

Staff will start the process of planning for a rebuilt City Hall and library, including updated cost estimates and timelines.  

The city will also pursue the sale of the Farmers property at the southwest corner of El Camino Real and Faraday Avenue and deposit funds back into the same account used to purchase it in the first place.  

Aug. 16, 2022 | City Council

City Council reviewed options presented by staff and unanimously approved a new hybrid approach to replacing the aging City Hall. The plan focuses on rebuilding City Hall and the Cole Library at their current locations but keeping the Faraday Administration Center.

Sept. 17, 2019 | City Council 

City Council reviewed the scoping and space planning analysis report and site evaluation criteria for a new city hall. 

Sept. 19, 2017 | City Council 

City Council received a presentation on the City Hall funding analysis memorandum. 

• Site Analysis and Site Criteria for a New City Hall
• Scoping and Space Planning Analysis for a New City Hall
• June 2018 City Hall and Civic Center Project Update presentation
• Cultural Facilities Needs Assessment Report