Richmond city council is on the verge of approving an $8million rebuild of its current animal shelter and expanding it into a 6,000-square-foot facility.
A council committee this week approved the rebuild, with a final decision to be made at a later date by the full council.
In January, council rejected three proposals to build a new shelter and asked staff to find other options.
City staff then did an assessment of the building and concluded it could be renovated to extend its life.
Renovations would include roof work, building envelope work, and mechanical, electrical as well as security system upgrades.
The addition to the building would be about 1,600 square feet, bringing the renovated facility to 6,180 square feet in size.
The renovations would create better separation between dogs to reduce their stress levels and the spread of diseases.
The addition on the east side of the building would be the new entrance and reception with an intake/surrender room, cat and small animal adoption rooms, a multipurpose room and volunteer space. The other option is a new building, also for $8 million, but it would only be 4,200 square feet.
