Decatur's City Hall
A Historic Treasure Transformed
>Click for video
Welcome to your City Hall. This historic landmark at 509 N. McDonough St. has been renovated to improve its interior functionality while maintaining its 1920s Classical Revival style.
Renovations at Decatur City Hall began in June 2005 and were completed in July 2006. They include a new central hall and elevator, reconstruction of the original entrance staircase, a larger, accessible commission chamber, and a new rear wing.
History of the Building
Decatur City Hall was built in 1926. The building was designed by Edwards & Sayward, Architects, in the Classical Revival style with a neo-classical Ionic-order porch and English Palladian-style windows. Sayward also designed a number of buildings at Agnes Scott College and Columbia Seminary, as well as the Masonic Temple and Trust Buildings in downtown Decatur.
For more than 20 years, the city conducted all its business from City Hall. The commission met there, and the police chief and fire chiefs had offices in the building, as did the city administrators, city engineer, city clerk and city manager. The city library was housed there as well. The fire department was headquartered in the south wing, with the bottom serving as a garage for fire trucks, and the upstairs as a firefighters? dormitory.
The library moved out of the building in 1950 followed by the fire department in 1958. The police department moved out in 1982. While the city changed the way it used the building, City Hall itself remained largely unchanged. Until 1994 the building relied on the original steam heat, including radiators.
Project Financing
The $3.5 million renovation project was financed through issuance of a certificate of participation (COP) ? similar to a sale/lease-back of the facility. The city?s payment for the financing is approximately $200,000 a year for 20 years. In addition, $750,000 from the FY2005-2006 General Fund will be used to cover the remaining cost of the project.
Renovation Highlights
A key aspect of the project is the restoration and preservation of the original exterior. Additions match the original brick, cast stone and slate roof construction. New exterior details along Trinity Place recall the original garage doors of the fire station.
The most significant feature of the interior renovation is the addition of a larger, accessible commission chamber. The new commission room accommodates 80 to 100 citizens (the old second-floor space had room for only 30) and features large flat-screen monitors for presentations. The separate rear entrance allows after-hours or weekend meetings, when City Hall is closed. Office and meeting space consistent with the architectural style of the original building was also added.
The former second-floor commission room, now re-named the Stephen Decatur Room, is used for receptions and informal meetings. A gallery-style hallway connects the original building with the new rear wing, where the Community and Economic Development Department is located.
A Historic Renovation
Working from original blueprints, architect Brian G. Randall designed the renovation and addition in a way that respects the historic building while updating the interiors. The result is an up-to-date public building with better access for persons with disabilities and a comfortable, professional work environment for employees.
The city's art collection, acquired in collaboration with the Decatur Business Association and the Decatur Development Authority, includes purchase award winners from the annual Decatur Arts Festival Fine Arts Exhibitions and original artwork from Decatur Arts Festival posters. Of particular interest is a collection on the second floor from Decatur?s African sister city, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Quick Facts
Architect: Brian G. Randall
Construction Company: Van Winkle & Co.
Interior Designer: Rabaut Design Associates
AV System: Technical Services Audio Visual
Floor tile: Brazilian multi-color slate
Interior Paint Colors: Benjamin Moore Dry Sage, Puritan Gray and Smoky Mountain. The primary trim color is Niveous and the doors are Tyler Taupe.