Easton will break ground later this month on the building that could someday be its new city hall.

Mayor Sal Panto announced Thursday that construction of the Easton intermodal unit will begin with a groundbreaking the third week of this month, with officials expecting the project to wrap up by 2015, according to the Express-Times.

Panto has said he hopes to move the city's offices from the Alpha Building on S. Third Street to the  intermodal -- a $26 million project that will include a three-story structure and a new city parking deck.

The city is paying for the project with state and federal grant money, as well as a $10 million bond.

In addition to city offices, the intermodal building would also house a LANTA bus terminal, the National High School Sports Hall of Fame, and other tenants.

Easton's Historic District Commission has approved the first stage of the parking deck, but wanted more information on the building.

The mayor argues that the move would put the massive Alpha Building back into private hands, and thus back on the tax rolls, and save the city from paying for its maintenance costs.

City Council is due to hear a more detailed proposal on the cost/benefits of the move at its meeting next week.