SPANISH FORT, Ala. — The architects with Forrest Daniell and Associates PC envision a timeless, low-maintenance beacon at the city’s center, combining the amenities of a full-service community center with the function of an efficient municipal government.

Plans for the proposed complex, unveiled publicly during Monday’s regular City Council meeting, include a library, multi-purpose facility, administrative offices, a Baldwin Area Transportation System terminal and a senior center that doubles as a first-responders’ area in times of crisis.

Forrest Daniell, president of the Daphne-based firm, estimated the cost of the more than 30,000-square-foot facility at around $6.3 million but said construction costs are currently at their most affordable rates in more than 10 years. The project, he said, actually came in considerably under the original budget of $7 million, a figure that until Monday night was never made public.

“I like the numbers. The total picture, to me, looks reasonable,” said Mayor Joe Bonner, in between Daniell’s informal presentation during the council’s work session and the public hearing held on the matter during the regular meeting.

“I think we’ve got more of a building than I thought we would get,” said Bonner, who — along with the other seven members of the advisory board charged with exploring the long-discussed project’s feasibility — has stressed function above aesthetics throughout the design process to date.

Architect Jeffrey Jordan said there was no reason to sacrifice one for the other.

Spanish influence is evident — though not overpowering — with the repeated use of mission-style arched doorways and windows, but they opted for a lower-maintenance brick exterior in lieu of stain-prone stucco.

Jordan said the team also chose to “recall a little history” by incorporating a clock-tower element reminiscent of the old Spanish Fort gas station to balance a larger circular tower above the library that will allow natural light to flood the structure during the day and act as a lighthouse-inspired beacon by night.

“The tower really does give it that wow factor,” Jordan said.

The real magic, however, will take place inside, Daniell said, outlining specifics for the modest crowd assembled.

For instance, the senior center will feature an exercise room, computer room, full kitchen, dining area, three classrooms and a deck overlooking one of two retention ponds encompassing almost one full acre of the 17-acre lot.

The library, he said, has been designed to incorporate best practices in both function and design after visiting no fewer than five area facilities for inspiration.

Meanwhile, the administrative offices — which will be divided between city administration and the building department — will lead directly to a multi-purpose room with seating for 312, intended to replace the city’s reliance on the Gathering Place in the Prodisee Center for large gatherings.

The multi-purpose room will also boast a stage and banquet seating for as many 220, Daniell said.

Although each section of the complex has been designed with individual needs and function in mind, Daniell said the independent sections can be opened up to increase capacity when events overflow or even allow for shared classrooms or computer labs.

And while the site’s unusual topography boosts anticipated site preparation costs, Daniell it also created surprising amenities. For instance, rather than having one large retention pond to control stormwater runoff, the terrain’s steep decline dictates that two ponds — with the higher feeding into the lower via a waterfall — be constructed at a savings of about $70,000.

Meanwhile, a natural shift in the property’s elevation along the water’s edge would support bleachers on one side and a stage of sorts on the other, creating an impromptu amphitheater.

Mayor Pro Tem Mike McMillan said a timetable still does not exist for proceeding with the project, but Daniell made a compelling argument for the financial benefits of starting sooner rather than later.

The costs of gas, asphalt, manufacturing and even steel have begun climbing again after bottoming out during the worst of the national recession.

Bonner said the city already has $2.4 million, or nearly 40 percent of the total projected cost, set aside for the community center’s construction, and council representatives will soon try their luck with grant funding in Montgomery.

“We know there’s not a whole lot (of money) to be had right now, but we’ve also been told that having the kind of money we have to put down helps tremendously, and they know we’re coming,” Bonner said.

McMillan said he expects the advisory board to take into consideration all comments made during Monday’s presentation as well as any received in the coming weeks, but he said it was too early to say if, or when, the board would recommend the council approve a resolution authorizing construction.

The next regular meeting of the council will begin with a 5 p.m. work session in the conference room at City Hall on April 4, followed immediately by the regular meeting at 6 p.m. at the Gathering Place in the Prodisee Center.

Spanish Fort Community Center by the numbers*

• Size of the site: 17 acres
• Walking path: almost one-half mile
• Total square footage: 31,305
• Total building costs: $3.7 million
• Total site costs: $1.1 million
• Furniture, fixtures and equipment: $676,000
• Soft costs (insurance, interest payments, etc.): $840,000
• Total project cost: $6.3 million

*Figures are estimates based on current rates, quotes and projections.