City Staff Welcome Council, Public Back to City Hall

City Staff Welcome Council, Public Back to City Hall

First Public Meeting in Restored Council Chambers to be Held Aug. 14

SAVANNAH – City of Savannah staff will welcome City Council and residents back to City Hall on Thursday, Aug. 14 for the first regular meeting in Council Chambers following completion of the first two phases of the City Hall Interior Restoration Project.

Staff will host a special Welcome Home to the Chamber Celebration to give City Council members and the public an opportunity to inspect the progress of the first major restoration of City Hall’s interior public spaces.  

The celebration will begin at 10 a.m. with an open house for City Council members. At noon, staff will hold an open house and tour of the renovated spaces for the public and media. Additionally, an Archival Display will be up in the restored Archives History Room on the first floor featuring artifacts related to City Hall’s construction, restoration, and history.

At 2 p.m., City Council will open their first regular meeting of August in the restored Council Chamber on the second floor of City Hall. The meeting will start with a special presentation welcoming the public back and recognizing the project team, community partners, and project donors.

Designed by architect Hyman W. Witcover and built by the Savannah Contracting Company between 1904 and 1906, Savannah’s City Hall is a symbol of the modern and progressive spirit embraced by the City of Savannah at the turn of the century. It is one of the most recognizable and historically significant buildings in the city.

The City Hall Interior Restoration Project honors the initial community investment to construct “The People’s House” with a focus on restoration and protection of the building’s architectural integrity, while ensuring public safety, improving government efficiency, and public access.

Phase one and phase two of the project were funded by SPLOST VII and included work in the Council Chamber, Archives and History Room, entrance lobby, Welcome and Security Center, first floor rotunda, and stairwell. Work included restoration of the original marble, mosaics, penny tile, woodwork, plaster, furniture, lighting, and hardware.

The final two phases of the project will focus on the remaining interior work throughout the building including plaster repairs, repairs to the marble stairs, refinishing historic doors and woodwork, the rotunda railings, and exterior repairs. Staff will celebrate the completion of the multi-phased interior restoration project in 2026 as part of a larger 120th anniversary celebration of the historic City Hall building.

What: Welcome Home to the Chamber Celebration

When: Thursday, Aug. 14, noon

Where: City Hall, 2 E. Bay St.

Agenda Item:

Contract for restoration of the interior of City Hall: https://agenda.savannahga.gov/publishing/may-23-2024-city-council-regular-meeting/1450_10327.html