page_title: Meridian City Hall
section_title: After restoration
hierarchical_section_title: Meridian City Hall / After restoration
caption_attribution_description: English: Cheri Barry, former mayor of Meridian, Mississippi, speaking at the dedication ceremony after the restoration of Meridian City Hall on January 31, 2012
context_page_description: City Hall in Meridian, Mississippi in the United States is located at 601 24th Avenue. Originally designed by architect P.J. Krouse in 1915, the building underwent several renovations during the 1950s that diminished the historic quality of the building. City Hall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and as a Mississippi Landmark in 1988. After complaints of a faulty HVAC system, the building underwent a restoration to its original 1915 appearance beginning in September 2006. The project was originally estimated to cost $7–8 million and last two years. Because of several factors including the building's listings on historic registers, a lawsuit filed by a subcontractor, and unforeseen structural problems, the final cost and duration of the renovation far exceeded original estimates. The renovation was completed in January 2012 at a total cost projected to reach around $25 million after interest on debt.
  The building is home to many city offices, including that of Percy Bland, the current mayor of Meridian.
context_section_description: The restoration was completed in January 2012, and Cheri Barry announced the holding of an open house for the building on January 31. The open house included guest speakers such as former mayor Jimmy Kemp, state commissioner Dick Hall, and several members of the design team. Attendees were given a historical tour of the building, and a reception was held in the third floor ballroom with music, art, and refreshments.
  The completed building matches the original architectural drawings as much as possible while still conforming to modern building codes. The panelling used to create small offices was removed, and the rooms are in the same places they were in 1915. All vinyl and plastic were removed from the interior and replaced with historic materials like wood, marble, plaster, and glass. A set of fire stairs on all three floors was added, and the elevator was moved to a different location to make way for a restored grand staircase of marble. Other interior changes include replacing the aluminum windows added in the 1950s with mahogany replicas of the originals, removing vinyl flooring to expose the original oak and marble beneath, and replacing aluminum doors and unsightly fluorescent lights.
  The renovated building is also more energy efficient. Automatic lighting controls, insulated glass, efficient HVAC systems, and shades that automatically lower to keep out sunlight at specific times of day were added. The HVAC system is housed in a mechanical building across the street.
  The first floor of the building houses the Human Resources department, the Information Technology department, and a conference room. The second floor is the main entrance of the building and is home to the mayor's office and the Finance and Records department as well as the Public Works department. The third floor originally housed an auditorium with a large stage and the Community Development department. The auditorium was rebuilt, though smaller in size than the original, and serves as a public space available to be rented for receptions and as the city council chambers. A kitchen for event catering was constructed beside the auditorium, and the floor also contains office space and a conference room.
caption: Mayor Cheri Barry speaking at the dedication ceremony on January 31, 2012
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