The project to adaptively reuse the historic high school building into a new City Hall and develop a new Police Department has successfully completed the due diligence and conceptual design phases. The project has transitioned into the schematic design phase. Key investigations, including building condition and parking assessments, historic preservation requirements, code analysis, and initial space programming, have been completed. These factors are all playing integral roles in the design approach. The design team is currently developing schematic layouts that balance operational needs, public accessibility, and security requirements while respecting the building’s historic character. Concurrently, preliminary cost estimates are being prepared and evaluated to align the project scope with budget expectations, setting the foundation for informed decision-making as the design progresses. Community input opportunities are currently being planned and will be posted as soon as finalized.

Councilors have directed staff to seek ways to enhance the City's customer service by consolidating various departments into a centrally located Police Department and City Hall in the historic high school building at 201 E. 12th Street and 215 E. 12th Street. Existing buildings such as City Hall and the Police Department are space-constrained, have limited seating, and outdated technology and facilities. The repurposing of the historic property may also include community meeting space.

It is the vision of the city that the development of a new Police Department and City Hall at the historic high school property will provide for Durango's future while leveraging assets from Durango's past. In addition, it would create a municipal center that can be versatile enough to meet the growing needs of the City of Durango and its community.

The historic high school building was built in 1916 and utilized as the old Durango High School from 1917 until 1976. The property is registered with both the National Register of Historic Places and the Colorado State Register of Historic Places.

A Master Facility Program from 1994 that considered using the former 9-R building as a combined municipal space is once again being considered. In July 2022, the Durango Fire Protection District entered into a year-long memorandum of understanding with the city to explore the potential of rebuilding the city’s River City Hall property as the fire district’s downtown facility. A Master Facility Plan from 2015 also addressed space constraints faced by city government. The DFPD and the City of Durango worked out an agreement that included an exchange of River City Hall for the historic high school building on August 1st, 2023.

Original Architects

• Thomas MacLaren
• Thomas E. Charles
• Eugene G. Groves

• Enhance the level of customer service in a single location.
• Grow beyond the constraints of existing buildings. For example, council chambers has limited seating and technology options.
• Staff has reached capacity at existing city locations. There is insufficient room to accommodate new staff, which limits the city's ability to provide services to the community.
• A new Police Department and City Hall could serve as catalyst for investment on East Second Avenue.
• Developing a new Police Department and City Hall could increase the potential for enhanced public involvement in local government, and enhance community engagement.
• Employees will be able to enjoy a direct multimodal route to work once the Camino del Rio underpass is completed.
• A new Police Department and City Hall would create the opportunity for various public uses, which the 9-R building has provided historically.