Waterbury CT City Hall Re-Dedicated after a Major Face Lift

Waterbury CT City Hall Re-Dedicated after a Major Face Lift

On a balmy January 1, 2011 at Noon, the City of Waterbury re-dedicated it's City Hall after a 4 year, $36,000,000 renovation. Years of neglect and over use had taken it's toll and it reached a state that made it unsafe for occupancy. As the building carried Historical credentials, it would have been a shame to demolish it and build a modern glass and concrete structure.

City residents, current dignitaries from the City , local towns and the State, gathered to get a new glimpse at the building. Originally designed by Cass Gilbert and opened in 1915, it was a cornerstone of several majestic buildings that occupy Grand St in Waterbury.

The task was undertaken with the hopes of refinishing and restoring the building and the intricate carvings and brass-work to their original condition. First glance would indicate that they succeeded.

There were some that would have liked to see the building assembly areas, like the Aldermanic Chambers updated with modern WiFi connections, and sound systems, but the Governing Committee chose to stay with the original designs.

Current Mayor Michael Jarjura, who has been running the City for almost 10 years now has been at the head of getting the town's finances back in order, and also was the steady hand to guide the restoration through it's entire process.

This was a large undertaking, which managed to not only come in in time, but also under budget.

• The original cost of the structure back in 1915 was $1,000,000.
• The building once housed the police station and the city jail.
• All brass light fixtures and chandeliers were restored
• Painted ceilings and walls restored to original color schemes
• All Mahogany doors and casings were stripped and refinished
• All marble used in the restoration came from the original quarry in Vermont

In the spring, the front mall area will again have all the colorful plantings and shrubs in bloom, as well as a rear garden.

Hopefully the fountain in the center of the mall will also spray water and serve as a welcome area for locals to sit and stand and just admire the beauty.

I know this area has a warm place in my heart. As a kid, not yet 2 years old, I walked this area with my brother and parents on a spring day, and it made for a pleasant way to spend some time.

Waterbury CT City Hall Re-Dedicated after a Major Face Lift

Hopefully, there will be funds allocated on a regular basis in the budget to ensure that it doesn't fall into such a state of neglect and dis-repair that it will need such a massive undertaking again.