The city of Brentwood is preparing to mark the completion of the most aggressive downtown revitalization project in the entire Bay Area. Scheduled for Saturday, May 19, the opening gala includes a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by Mayor Bob Taylor, City Council members and City Manager Paul Eldredge, plus live music and tours of the Civic Center.

Brentwood’s Civic Center project encompasses a 60,000-square-foot City Hall, a 32,000-square-foot Community Center, a 280-stall public parking garage and more than 2 acres of open space, augmenting the recently installed downtown streetscape improvements, public art, directional signs and gateway monument.

The design of the complex incorporates Spanish-style architecture featuring arches and large windows that make use of daylight, requiring less electricity. The building is currently a candidate to receive a Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. A LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that the building was designed and built to achieve high performance in key areas of human and environmental health, including sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

The Civic Center has brought all City Hall and Community Center employees back to downtown Brentwood and under the same roof, making it easier for companies and residents to conduct their business quickly and efficiently.

“The Civic Center will serve the entire community for decades to come,” said City Manager Paul Eldredge. “It’s an architectural icon that will play an important role in the continued revitalization of the downtown. We’re proud to report that the buildings were completed on schedule and within budget.”

In addition to housing all city staff, City Hall houses the new council chambers, which seats 114, plus the state-of-the-art permit center, open Mondays through Fridays, 45 hours per week.

The Parks and Recreation Department will be housed in the Community Center, where classes and events will be held. Registrations will be taken at the reception desk on the first floor. The Community Center is conveniently connected to City Hall and the parking structure via a covered outdoor walkway. The center features a state-of-the-art kitchen, banquet hall, arts and crafts room, and multi-purpose rooms that can be used for exercise classes and meeting rooms. All of these rooms can be rented for business and social events.

In front of the Civic Center complex lies the original city park, which has been redesigned to include a children’s water play feature next to the play equipment. An outdoor stage for performances has been added, including a built-in sound and lighting system. Boasting 82 new trees, barbecues and picnic tables, the 2.7-acre park offers something for all residents.

Looking to the future, the park and city offices feature free Wi-Fi. Remembering the past, Civic Center Plaza features a History Walk highlighting significant moments in Brentwood’s storied past.