Historic City Hall Steps Re-Open After $4.6 Million Project to Repair Steps and Improve Building Access

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Historic City Hall Steps Re-Open After $4.6 Million Project to Repair Steps and Improve Building Access

Completed in 12 months on schedule and almost $1 million under budget, work including new ADA lift, ramp and walkway and restoration of old basement vault

DDC: Ian Michaels, 646-939-6514, michaelia@ddc.nyc.gov
DCAS: Anessa Hodgson, 212-386-0215, AHodgson@dcas.nyc.gov

(New York, NY - January 19, 2024) The historic steps in front of City Hall are open again following a 12-month, $4.6 million project that replaced the granite, repaired bluestone pavers in the building’s upper and lower plazas and improved access with a new ADA lift, ramp, walkway and automatic door. The project, which began construction in January 2023, was managed by DDC for DCAS and was completed on schedule and 17.5 percent below the original budget of $5.576 million, saving the City almost one million dollars, Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi, NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Thomas Foley and NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Dawn Pinnock announced today.

The historic steps at City Hall, restored with new granite risers and treads and new lift, ramp and handrails

“City Hall’s steps are the front door for New York’s advocacy and activism; taking care of them and prioritizing accessibility is absolutely essential,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. "Thanks to the Department of Design and Construction and Citywide Administrative Services, we are delivering this project on-time and on-budget, ongoing proof of this administration’s commitment to fostering an active, accessible civic realm and ensuring every New Yorker has the opportunity to make their voice heard"

“City Hall remains one of the City’s most architecturally significant buildings and preserving its historic nature both inside and out was a high priority,” said NYC Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Thomas Foley. “The design team used old drawings to determine the paving pattern in the portico and the placement of the handrails, and the new ADA lift and walkway match the color of the building’s limestone façade. Congratulations to the DDC team that finished this project on time and under budget, including our designer CTA Architects, our contractor Nicholson & Galloway and our M/WBE construction management firm McKissack.”

“The steps at City Hall are not only of historical significance, they’re of great civic significance as well, hosting thousands of celebrations, demonstrations, rallies and events over the past 200 years,” said NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services Commissioner Dawn M. Pinnock. “We are thankful to DDC for their expert management of this project, bringing the entrance to City Hall into the 21st century, and expanding access and ease of use so that all New Yorkers are able to enter and experience this famed facility firsthand.”

Students and educators from PS 130 PS 130M Hernando Desoto School reviewed their artwork with DDC Commissioner Thomas Foley. The students later toured the inside of City Hall. (November 2023)

The project replaced the steps’ granite treads and risers and installed new granite pavers in the building’s portico. A historic brick-lined vault under the stairs accessible from the basement was also restored and waterproofing was added to protect the area. New audio-visual and electrical outlets were added on the portico to better accommodate the public events that happen on the steps regularly.

The front of City Hall also received a new lift, ramp, walkway and handrails that comply with the standards established by the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. A new automatic button-activated entry is now also in place for the first time.

The construction fence around the site featured two art exhibits during the year it was in place. The first celebrated the 40th anniversary of the City’s “Percent For Art” program. The second featured artwork by students from PS 130M Hernando Desoto School in nearby Chinatown, who visited the site with educators from the school and later toured the inside of the building.

City Hall steps under construction

DDC previously completed an interior renovation and roof repair at City Hall in a project that ended in June 2015.

About the NYC Department of Design and Construction
The Department of Design and Construction is the City’s primary capital construction project manager. In supporting Mayor Adams’ long-term vision of growth, sustainability, resiliency, equity and healthy living, DDC provides communities with new or renovated public buildings such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, and new or upgraded roads, sewers and water mains in all five boroughs. To manage this $28 billion portfolio, DDC partners with other City agencies, architects and consultants, whose experience bring efficient, innovative and environmentally-conscious design and construction strategies to City projects. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/ddc.

About the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services
The NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) makes city government work for all New Yorkers. Our commitment to equity, effectiveness, and sustainability guides our work providing City agencies with the resources and support needed to succeed, including:

Recruiting, hiring, and training City employees

Managing 55 public buildings

Acquiring, selling, and leasing City property

Purchasing over $1 billion in goods and services for City agencies

Overseeing the greenest municipal vehicle fleet in the country

Leading the City’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions from government operations

Learn more about DCAS by visiting nyc.gov/dcas or by following us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and listening to the Inside Citywide podcast.