library branch did not open at the site. LRS Architects designed the complex with Skanska USA serving as the general contractor. The structural engineering was done by KPFF Consulting Engineers, services engineering was completed by Interface Engineering, and civil engineering for the project was handled by WRG Design. The building was finished in January 2005 with city officials and employees moving into the buildings by the end of March. A public grand opening was held on July 16, 2005, to officially open the center. Total cost of the public portion of the project was $34 million, with construction totaling $23.5 million. Prior to completion the city leased space in several downtown buildings, including the county's Public Services Building where Hillsboro also held city council meetings. Later in 2005 a coffee shop was added as a tenant in part of the retail space, and in 2007 the restaurant space in the building was leased to NW Hayden Enterprises for a restaurant scheduled to open in 2008. In April 2009, the plaza was renamed as the Tom Hughes Civic Center Plaza in honor of Tom Hughes, who was mayor when the building was constructed. Architecture Designed by Portland-based firm, LRS Architects, Hillsboro's Civic Center is a modern glass building with a stone base and brick highlights. There are two main buildings, the Civic Center housing government offices and the Plaza Building housing retail space. The plazas surrounding the structures contain an inlaid quartzite river, basalt planters, and Victorian style benches. Additionally, it was designed with large windows facing the north in order to reflect the giant sequoia trees located across the street at the Washington County Courthouse, with the trees dating back to the 1880s. At a total of six stories tall, the building is tied for the tallest building in Hillsboro with Tuality Community Hospital standing tall. Inside the building features high ceilings on the first floor and a large, open public space. Daylight and exterior views are present in 90% of the offices in city hall. Awards Hillsboro Civic Center won the award for Best Public Project in the state of Oregon for 2005 from Northwest Construction magazine for the general contractor Skanska USA. It is the first municipal headquarters in Oregon to meet all its energy needs with renewable sources. During development, the project first aimed for attaining a Silver certification from the United States Green Building Council. Instead,