Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : Santa Clarita City Hall Will Reopen After Quake Monday

The city of Santa Clarita will celebrate the reopening of City Hall, which suffered millions of dollars in damage during the Northridge earthquake, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday.

The reopening of City Hall should come as a relief to the public and to city officials and staff who were forced to work out of trailers and tents in the City Hall parking lot for more than two weeks following the January temblor.

The city subsequently moved its offices to temporary quarters off Golden Triangle Road in Saugus, where they have been located during the reconstruction process.

Repairs to the City Hall building at 23920 Valencia Blvd., which suffered an estimated $4.5 million in damage during the quake, were completed on time and on budget, said Gail Foy, a city spokeswoman.

Over the last three months, 41 steel-reinforcement beams have been added to make the building 25% stronger, Foy said. The building also received a fresh coat of paint and new carpet.

City workers are scheduled to pack office materials Friday and have their belongings moved to City Hall over the weekend so that they can unpack Monday.

The reopening ceremony coincides with a revised work schedule for city staff and officials.

In an effort to reduce pollution by taking cars off the road, city employees will begin working nine-hour days, allowing City Hall to close every other Friday.

The new hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on alternate Fridays.

The new schedule allows the city to comply with South Coast Air Quality Management District regulations that call for a reduction in the number of vehicles traveling at peak hours.

The City Council’s 7 p.m. meeting tonight is scheduled to take place in the City Hall building’s council chambers.