Somerton City Hall gets architecture excellence award
SOMERTON — Somerton’s new City Hall building isn’t just functional. It’s easy on the eyes.
The Arizona Masonry Guild recently presented its Excellence in Masonry Architectural Award to the city for the building, which opened in 2017.
Somerton City Administrator Ian McGaughey received the honor on behalf of the city at the organization’s recent awards ceremony in Scottsdale.
“Although I was not part of the project, because I arrived afterwards, I believe residents have a city building they can be proud of and can call their own,” he said.
Financed with a voterapproved sales tax, the 13,000-square-foot building located on State Avenue, north of Main Street, has a modernistic design illuminated at night by colored lights that reflect the colors of the area’s agricultural fields. The building was designed by LEA Architects of Phoenix and building by LPC Construction of Yuma.
“We are very proud that our City Hall has been recognized, because ultimately the building in itself is something that the community deserves, “Mayor Jose Yepez said. “For me, it is a very well designed, innovative and efficient building.”
Opened in June 2017, it replaced a decades-old building at the corner of State and Main that had been outgrown by city offices.
McGaughey said the new building is conducive to city government’s efforts to provide good customer service.
“In terms of structure, it is well-suited for people to be greeted and easily directed to wherever they have to go,” the city administrator said. “But also the fact that it is an open and illuminated building helps to promote a positive attitude. I believe that residents have a building that they can be proud of.”