FERNDALE, Mich. – The City Council of this enclave of 25,000 residents is exploring a move of the city hall into the second floor of Credit Union One’s offices, which would be the first credit union to house a city hall.
The plan, which is being developed by a local consultant, would include moving the district court into the current city hall, which also houses the police and fire departments, and the purchase of the credit union’s second floor to house the city’s administrative offices. The cost of the plan is estimated to be around $7 million, which includes purchasing the second floor of the credit union building.
If the city decides on the Credit Union One plan option, possible design ideas would be to have a separate and highly visible entrance on the west side of the building. Landscaping and a common area courtyard could create a municipal campus that would set it apart from Credit Union One.
Ferndale will be known as the “credit union city,” said one resident opposed to the plan, during last week’s debate on the proposal. “You know, the city with the offices in the credit union building.”
