Staff begin move into new Amarillo City Hall

Amarillo’s new City Hall is coming to life as city departments steadily transition into the facility. While the move is still in progress, officials are ensuring a smooth relocation for both staff and residents.

Assistant City Manager Donny Hooper confirmed that the City Manager’s office has already moved into the new building at 623 S. Johnson, with the 311 call center set to relocate this week. Other departments, including Legal and IT, will be among the last to transition.

A Phased Approach for Utility Billing

The move for the Utility Billing Department is more complex, requiring a phased transition that began last week. Until the move is fully complete, residents should continue conducting city business at the current City Hall. Once the transition is finalized, signs and staff members will be available to guide visitors to the new facility.

“We did try to make the first floor all the public-facing departments,” Hooper explained. “So if you’re from the public, and you have to come do business at City Hall, it’s all on the first floor.”

Navigating the New City Hall

Residents visiting the new City Hall can sign up for public comments in person on the third floor, Room 3500. The city also continues to offer online sign-ups via email (citysecretary@amarillo.gov) or by phone (806-378-3014).

Additionally, applications to run for Amarillo City Council must now be submitted at the new City Hall. The deadline to file is February 14 by 5 p.m.

To help residents adjust to the new location, the city will offer guided tours on February 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place earlier that day at 10 a.m.

In a unique move to enhance visitor experience, the city will provide both digital and in-person assistance at the front kiosk. A virtual assistant, Emma—already familiar to those who use the city’s website—will be available alongside a staff member to help visitors navigate the new building.

The Future of the Old City Hall

Built in 1966, the current City Hall has served Amarillo for decades, but city officials say it has reached the end of its useful life. Eventually, the structure will be demolished, pending funding approval.

“At some point in time, this would become part of a green space, a park space, if you will, for the south part of the Civic Center,” Hooper said. The current parking lot will remain in use, with some areas designated for ADA-accessible parking and overflow parking for Sod Poodles baseball games.

The new City Hall project has been years in the making. The City Council approved the purchase of the new building in November 2020, followed by funding for demolition of old warehouses on the site in April 2022. Site work began in June 2022, with the official groundbreaking on February 14, 2023.