Mayor Ross Alger's vision for a civic center, headlined by new municipal headquarters surrounded by a major hotel, park space and commercial real estate was put to the test in a 1979 plebiscite.

[5] Alger's successor, Ralph Klein, spearhead a different strategy to assess public opinion focused on whether the City of Calgary should continue to lease private office space, or consolidate employees in a single building.

[9] A total of 62 architects entered the competition, following the first stage four finalists were announced, R. L. Wilkin, Eugene N. Dub (who would go on to design Edmonton City Hall), Gerald J. Gongos, and Christopher Ballyn.

[10][4] Ballyn's design called for the new Municipal Building to serve as a FOIL to Old City Hall, providing a neutral backdrop while also displaying a fresh and unique civic image.

The capsule which sits below a bronze plaque and showcases life in Calgary in 1985, including pins, a key from the old Imperial Hotel, and designs for the Municipal Building.

The council chambers are housed within a large blue cube on the first floor with the councillors seated in a semi-circle facing the public, with four entrances and capacity for 300 people.