City's new Civic Center set to open

SIGNATURE PIECE- A new city hall, left, and library, above, are part of the $41-million Civic Center complex that was recently built adjacent to The Commons shopping center. Calabasas residents and city dignitaries are gearing up for a series of events that will celebrate the grand opening of the new Civic Center.

The $41-million government complex has been built on a 7.7acre site adjacent to The Commons shopping center and includes a twostory, 27,700squarefoot city hall, a 25,700square-foot public library, a 3,000-square-foot assembly hall, an outdoor amphitheater and a public plaza.

A fundraising gala for the library will be from 7 to 10 p.m. Sat., July 12. The blacktie optional cocktail party will feature live music, guided tours, hors d' oeuvres, dessert buffet stations and bar beverages. Tickets are $200 and can be purchased at city hall.

The community is invited to a free open house from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sun., July 13. A ribboncutting will be followed by tours of the new library and city hall. Complimentary food and refreshments will be available as well.

Photos courtesy city of Calabasas There will also be a special oak tree dedication at noon.

"It only happens once," City Councilmember Dennis Washburn said. "This is a facility that's going to be around for 100 years, we hope, and one that'll be the pride of all of us."

All Calabasas residents and businesses have been sent invitations to both weekend events.

The Calabasas Library closed its Park Sorrento location June 26 and will reopen July 15 at 200 Civic Center Way- formerly Park Centre.

The old Calabasas City Hall on Mureau Road will be closed to the public July 16 through July 18 as employees move to their new address at 100 Civic Center Way. The new Calabasas City Hall will reopen for public business on Mon, July 21.

In 2003, Calabasas was one of the first cities in the region to adopt "green" development standards, which require new public and commercial buildings to be constructed according to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards.

The Civic Center meets the LEED "gold" standard, meaning it is 45 percent more efficient than the average building.

The LEED Green Building Rating System is the national benchmark for design, construction and operation of highperformance green buildings. The city registered the project during development, and the organization in turn provided a road map for how to create a structure that conserves natural resources, has reduced operating costs and houses healthier occupants.

"Anyone who is interested in having a great time, we're basically celebrating 19 years of preparation," Washburn said. "It's the United States' first civic center that's going to be just three points shy of platinum rating of LEED standards."

For more information on the Civic Center grand opening weekend, contact John Bingham at (818) 878-4225, or visit cityofcalabasas.com.

"Anyone who comes to the opening is going to have a great time," Washburn said. "It's a great place to come and join us and be a part of it."