Categories: CharityCommunityEvents/What's HappeningNews

Savannah City Hall Undergoes Major Restoration

Restoration work in progress at Savannah City Hall, blending history and modern needs.

News Summary

Savannah City Hall is undergoing its first significant interior restoration in over 120 years, aiming to modernize while preserving historical features. Managed by Luciana Spracher, the project focuses on maintaining original decor, with attention to structural integrity. The multi-phase restoration is funded through SPLOST, with completion expected by July 2025. As elements like historic floors and fixtures are restored, the building is set to sustain its legacy and improve visitor access to historical archives.

Savannah – Savannah City Hall, an iconic building famed for its striking gold dome, is currently experiencing its first major interior restoration in over 120 years. The restoration, which began in July 2024, is intended to modernize the structure while preserving the original historical features that characterize this important civic landmark.

Luciana Spracher, the city’s Archives and History Officer, is managing the restoration efforts, especially within the city council chambers. The primary objective is to respect and retain the building’s architectural integrity while undertaking improvements. The focus includes maintaining much of the original decor such as the historic floors, brass light fixtures, and mahogany details, ensuring that these elements are not lost in the modernization process.

Furthermore, the integrity of the lighting style is being preserved. The original fixtures are linked to the building’s predecessor, the City Exchange, which was exclusively gas-lit. In addition, a portrait of former Mayor Herman Myers, who presided over the first council meeting in January 1906 when City Hall opened, has been carefully preserved as part of the restoration’s commitment to honoring the building’s legacy.

Restoration Phases and Costs

The extensive restoration project is structured into phases. The first phase, which encompasses the city council chambers, city marshal’s office, and treasurer’s office, is estimated to cost around $3 million. Funding for this phase has been provided by SPLOST dollars. The second phase, currently in progress, is focusing on the building’s lobby, staircase, and rotunda, with expected costs of approximately $2 million, also funded through SPLOST.

Both phases are projected to reach completion by July 2025. While minor touch-ups are still being conducted in phase one, construction is actively underway in various areas for phase two. City council meetings are temporarily being held at the Whitney Administrative Complex during the ongoing restoration work. The intent of the restoration is not just aesthetic; it aims to unify the space, which has undergone numerous small renovations over the years leading to inconsistencies, and to conceal modern features like wiring and HVAC systems for a more cohesive appearance.

Historical Importance and Visitor Access

The restoration project is being characterized as generational work, aiming to sustain the building for another 50 years. Historic elements, including the original oak and mahogany flooring, carved wood paneling, plaster walls, and a historic bronze and marble wall clock, are being restored to their former glory. Access to the archives will soon be available to the public, with plans to offer monthly history lectures and orientations that highlight the city’s governance and rich history.

Despite its noble aim, the project has encountered delays, causing phase one to extend longer than initially planned, with an official completion now set for July 2025. The main entrance of City Hall has been temporarily closed due to ongoing renovations, necessitating the use of secondary entrances that were previously restricted to staff members.

Future city council meetings will address any further updates and required extensions related to the ongoing restoration, ensuring the council’s meeting space accommodates their needs while respecting the building’s historical significance.

With the completion of this long-awaited restoration, Savannah City Hall will not only preserve its storied past but will also accommodate contemporary needs—all while standing as a testament to the city’s heritage for decades to come.