DOWNTOWN — Should San Diego replace the aging downtown City Hall or repair the existing 1960s-era structure and put off building a new chief administrative facility until the city can get its financial affairs in order? Mayor Jerry Sanders argues that now is the time for the cash-strapped municipality to break ground on a proposed $293.5 million Civic Center redevelopment project that supporters say would allow the city to consolidate operations and save an estimated $13 million annually on leased office space outside of City Hall. In June 2010, the mayor presented a proposal designed by Portland, Oregon-based developer Gerding Edlen, which included a 19-story city administration building located on the four-block site of the existing City Hall on C Street and First Avenue. The 575,000-square-foot structure would provide enough office space for about 2,400 employees, a 400-seat City Council chambers, a 1.25-acre public plaza and two levels of underground parking. Finished in 1964, the current 13-story City Hall building lacks mandated fire sprinklers on 10 floors, does not meet earthquake safety codes, contains asbestos and lacks the space necessary to accommodate the city’s office staff. Officials estimate that it will cost nearly $40 million to make “Band-Aid” repairs and maintain the city administration building over the next decade — a figure that some say would be better spent on a new structure since the old one will need to be demolished eventually. Despite promises that the public would have an opportunity to vote on the matter, the mayor vetoed in July a City Council action passed by a 7-1 vote, that would have put the measure before San Diegans on last November’s ballot. The Civic Center redevelopment project could still proceed if six council members vote to approve it. Critics of the project assert that because of the economic decline, budget problems and the threat of cuts to public services, the city should consider whether now is the best time to talk about building a new City Hall. In public statements, Councilman Carl DeMaio, one of the project’s most vocal opponents, accused the city of failing to explore all its options before pursuing a deal to build a new and expensive City Hall. DeMaio has also stated that he is unconvinced the project reflects the priorities of San Diego taxpayers, and the city should renegotiate more favorable terms on existing leases or look to secure other properties downtown. Pete Camarda, a financial services representative with a downtown commercial bank, said that America’s Finest City deserves a City Hall that’s fitting of its reputation. Camarda added that along with a new building comes new construction jobs. “Progress means prosperity,” said Camarda, who spent seven years as a roofer before graduating from college in 2006. “If San Diego is going to continue to be a leader in the future, we need the infrastructure to make it happen.” On the other hand, retired attorney Richard Schwartz said he finds it hard to believe that the City Administration Building has outlived its usefulness. “I’ve been coming to this building for decades now and even though it seems tired and weathered, there’s still plenty of life left in it,” Schwartz said. “How is it that the original City Hall building on G Street, which was built in the 1800s, is still standing and in use today, but this building here is ready for the wrecking ball?”