Back in business

  

It's taken $74 million, 10 years of debate, and 2+ years of construction - but it's finally done. The city is marking the grand reopening of the Hall today with an official ceremony at 5 this afternoon. Check out a timeline of the renovations here.

Looking back at the history of City Hall, it was really interesting to see how close it was to being knocked down. Even after the renovations, the building still only holds a small portion of the city's employees. On the other hand, heritage buildings are a mark of a great city and our City Hall is a beautiful example of the International style of architecture. It's also interesting to note that back in 2001, the estimated cost of building a new space was $74 million - the same cost of the renovations.

So folks, what do you think? Was it right to renovate? Or should we have started from scratch?

Comments

[Brian Henley]

What has been sad is how the Hamilton City Hall was allowed to deteriorate so badly throughout the 1980's and 1990's in particular. Basic upkeep in that period would have meant a much quicker and less expensive renovation.
As to retention of the 1960 building versus something totally new, the problem would have been money - despite the seemingly high figure of $74 million for the renovation, a totally new building, big enough for all staff, on an adequate site would surely have cost much more than that.
Besides the building itself, what is positive about the present City Hall is the possibility of improving the public spaces around it - unfortunately the current effort did not address that need. Certainly some basic functional things, like handicapped walkways and the like, have been upgraded in the public space area but no beautification - anybody noticed the weak effort done as regards the fountains?
The next step should be to do something better with the City Hall surroundings and try to integrate them with all the public spaces in the vicinity (Board of Education, Commonwealth Square etc.) This kind of effort in an area could have a great impact. This would not be costly but would take some public interaction - something which did not happen with the renovation of the building itself.

[Allison Gowling]

What is sad is that City is still an eyesore, compared to the granduer of the old City Hall, which was a beautiful building.

Many cities, except Hamilton, have strived to keep the beautiful, older building with character, while Hamilton lets everything fall down.

The entire downtown core is still an eyesore due to the stupidity of this, and past, councils and cleaning up the fountain or letting buildings fall down through neglect is not being progressive.

It is time for someone with vision and intelligence to be on council or in the Mayor's chair.

There is certainly none present in either right now, and has not been present for some 35 years.

Allison Gowling

[Dan Jelly]

The discolouration on the exterior cladding is disappointing and it's only going to look worse over time. Why restore something if you're only going to do a poor job of it? The wrong materials were chosen and should never have been allowed to go on the building once the flaws were found.

I'll reserve my judgement on the project as a whole after I see the interior this evening.

[steve sheen]

Well I think the spending of millions to merely renovate was some what rediculouse.I think the money should have gone into a newer more vibrant look for the future of Hamilton,I would also like to comment on the resurfacing of Main Street East in front of City Hall, that of why didnt the city resurface further on to John St.Very bumpy there.

[Kathy Hagan]

I have not had time to view the interior of the " new" city hall but I am appalled at the horrible cladding { pseudo marble}
Parking has not been improved and the whole courtyard leaves a lot to be done. When I have checked the interior I will further comment.

[Donald J. Lester]

What's done is done, there is no point of crying for what could or should have been done...It seems local politicians are so divided that they can't agree on anything...it's little wonder that the public don't know if they are coming or going...