HISTORIC CITY HALL RENOVATION COMPLETE
Officials, staff moving back in on Monday
FITCHBURG » After years of planning and 16 months of construction, and at a cost of over $23.5 million, the city’s staff will begin moving into the newly renovated City Hall on Monday.
“We’re returning to the original seat of government for the city and the people and it’s long overdue,” Mayor Stephen DiNatale said Tuesday, adding that “it is looking better than it has in a number of years.”
“This building is truly an iconic structure and our founding fathers knew exactly what they were doing when they built where it is in downtown and shows the appreciation for the city’s citizens and employees,” he said.
“This is also a recognition for city taxpayers as a funding source and bettering the image of Fitchburg,” DiNatale said.
The Boston-based BOND Building Construction Inc.
did much of renovations of the historic building, which is located at 718 Main St.
“This was a major project and thanks to the cooperation and dedication of our building partners, Mayor Stephen DiNatale, and the community, we were able to deliver this complex renovation to allow for easier civic engagement for Fitchburg citizens,” said Frank Hayes, president of BOND Building. “We’re honored to take part in helping revitalize this downtown area and look forward to seeing the building in action.”
In 2012, the building was declared unsafe for habitation after a broken roof truss was found.
After that was found, the city government offices were moved to rented space at 166 Putnam Place, where they have remained.
DiNatale said the city’s staff has been cooped up at Putnam Place for too long and they are looking forward to having windows and natural light.
In 2016, Lamoureux Pagano Associates conducted a feasibility study to determine if the 1953 Greek Revival building could be repaired at a reasonable price.
The completed project will be a prominent component of Fitchburg’s ongoing downtown economic development aimed at revitalizing the local community that includes the Theater Block, which is owned by Fitchburg State University and has already been partially renovated, and
the upcoming renovation and conversion of the former B.F. Brown School into an artist colony.
Now, the exterior building has been fully restored to its original state with the interior renovated to accommodate 14 administrative departments, including the Office of the Mayor.
The former Bank of America building, which was donated to the city by the
bank, has also been converted into a legislative building and will serve as chambers for the City Council and other meeting space.
The renovation has transformed the building into a modern and efficient workplace for city administrators to better serve Fitchburg residents, according to BOND Builders.
Originally built in 1853, Fitchburg City
Hall is considered a local historic landmark and is also being recommended for listing on the National Register of Historical Places with the Massachusetts Historical Commission.
“Restoring and preserving historic structures is a responsibility that we take very seriously,” said Dave Capaldo, director of Public Construction for BOND Building.
“The new and improved Fitchburg City Hall was completed with careful planning and extensive collaboration with owners and we’re extremely proud to have delivered a building that stands as a point of pride for this city on the rise.”
Patrick Haire, the mayor’s chief of staff, said that over the last few weeks city employees have been packing and preparing for the move, including preparing to move the city’s IT infrastructure across the street.
Because of the preparation, Haire said disruptions of the city’s ability to handle its day-to-day operations should be minimal.
As for when the public will be able to safely enter the building, DiNatale said the administration has been having constant discussions on when.
“We haven’t arrived at a solid date, yet,” DiNatale said.
Future plans for the City Hall complex is the construction of a two-story parking deck behind the building.
BOND Building completed the restoration in collaboration with Colliers Project Leaders, the owner’s project manager, and design partner ICON Architecture.