By Lizzie Stone, city council reporter
A $25.8 million renovation will add the historic city hall buildings to an expanded complex for city offices. Additionally, a $1 million renovation will restore the Harrison House’s exterior and create a terrace for public viewing.
The city council heard an update on the plans at last Tuesday’s meeting.
Funding allows for exterior renovations to Harrison House
A grant of $500,000 from the Margaret Grattan Weaver Foundation plus a matching contribution from the city will fund exterior renovations to the Harrison House property, which includes removing an addition and replacing it with a terrace.
Public Works Director Tom Hartman, who presented the updates, said the city doesn’t have enough funding to renovate the interior.
Renovations will include restorations, plus construction of a terrace stretching from Bruce Street to Denton Park next to Agora Market.
The Harrison House, located at 30 W. Bruce St., was once thought to belong to city founder Thomas Harrison. However, recent archaeological work discovered that the house dates to 1790, which is after Harrison died.
An 1826 structure called the Hall House is attached to the 1790 building. Removing the addition will let the public see “what the Harrison house looked like in 1790 in its full structure,” Hartman said.
City plans to rehab and bring together old city halls
The city also plans to begin renovating its historic city hall properties later this year. Plans include a complex that uses each structure for additional offices and public spaces, with a total cost estimate of $25.8 million.
WIthin the complex are structures built in 1879, 1901, 1908 and 2014 with a connecting atrium. After renovation and construction, the city wants the buildings to become one interconnected space.
Deputy City Manager Amy Snider, who presented the plans, said the city will pursue bonds to fund the renovations.
The new city hall complex will meet Leed silver standards for sustainable buildings in part by using planned solar power from the Turner Pavillion, Snider said. The certification also accounts for energy and water use, construction materials and more.
The historic buildings served as the city office complex before the newest city hall opened in 2015. Now, the buildings have been gutted as the city plans its renovations. New offices and conference rooms will be built to accommodate city staff.
Changes will also be made to the new city hall, including renovations to the lobby and atrium. The registrar’s office will have a separate public entrance into a basement office space to accommodate early voting.
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