A plan for the new South San Francisco Civic Center is taking shape after the City Council approved the Smith Group as the architecture lead for the development. The proposed plan for the center will include new fire and police stations, an emergency dispatch hub, a recreation center, and a library.

For project leaders, the architectural design of the civic center is of utmost importance. According to City Manager Mike Futrell, unique and iconic architecture are one of the identifying pillars of South San Francisco. To make room for the architectural vision of the project, much of the parking to be built at the civic center will be underground.

Futrell says that project leaders will seek residential input over the coming months, according to an SM Daily Journal report.

Concurrently, city officials are also examining a separate proposal to build housing on city property right next to the proposed civic center. While the exact size and scope of the project are still up in the air, the area is currently zoned to allow buildings up to 120 feet tall and with between 120 and 180 units per acre. The site is a straightforward option for building housing, as the city’s BART station is located just a short distance away.

Officials expect the project to break ground in 2020. It is estimated to cost up to $172 million.