The oft-delayed Tewksbury Town Hall renovation project took a step forward last week when the town officially signed a contract with Kaffee Kang of Kang Associates to do the design work on the project.

According to Town Manager Richard Montouri, the initial design phase will include Space Programming ($2,400) and Schematic Design ($52,000).

"Additional phases (to the design work) will be negotiated," said Montuori.

There is no set timetable on the project but Montuori said the design phase is expected to take 4-7 months.

Kang Associates is a highly respected Sudbury-based design firm. They have designed numerous new municipal buildings and renovation projects throughout the state.

Starting in 2008, Town Meeting voters began approving the use of Community Preservation Act funds for the design and construction costs associated with the renovation of the 1917 building. The total cost is expected to be approximately $6.1 million.

CBI Associates will be serving as project manager.

The project has his some road blocks along the way, the most significant of which was the arrest of original designer Jeffrey Cook in connection with the murder of his sister.

Town officials are hopeful the contract with Kang Associates will put the project back on track. In the meantime, Montuori is continuing to talk to officials from the Ira Auto Group about leasing the Hardy-Pike House on Route 38 to use as a temporary Town Hall once construction on the renovation begins.