SCRANTON — Officials gathered Tuesday morning on the steps of City Hall to recognize completion of the building’s exterior renovations.
Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti said it was a moment the renovation team didn’t want to go unnoticed.
“Restoring and preserving City Hall has been a critical goal for us,” she said. “The teams of experts that have worked on our building for the past 14 months have transformed the city’s skyline and instilled newfound confidence in Scranton’s future.”
Cognetti said the nearly $4.8 million project was funded in part by $1.5 million through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) and a portion of the city’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
Scranton City Hall. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti and dignitiaries offer remarks about the renovation to the exterior of City Hall on Tuesday morning. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
Scranton City Hall has undergone a $4.8 million project to renovate its exterior. The work was made possible through a $1.5 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant from the Commonwealth with remaining funds through the America Rescue Plan Act. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti cuts police tape after unveiling the renovation to the exterior of City Hall on Tuesday morning. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti discusses the renovation to the exterior of City Hall on Tuesday morning. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
Cognetti called the project “polishing a gem” and said the building contributed to the historic atmosphere of city’s downtown.
As a surprise for residents, the city lit up the iconic building’s tower on St. Patrick’s Day, making it the first time the tower was lit in about four decades.
Cognetti said crews installed the floodlights to shine green March 7, but didn’t announce their plan to light the tower up for the special holiday.
“So many things had to go right to be able to light that tower green,” she said.
Once it was lit, Cognetti took a photo and then began receiving photos from appreciative residents.
The renovation was much needed and has restored the building to its original grandeur, according to city council President Gerald Smurl.
Progress reports filed throughout 2024 outline the sometimes-extensive level of repairs needed throughout the building, the mayor said in a news release.
In some places, window frame spindles were “rotten beyond repair.” Metal pieces were missing in multiple places in the bell tower and were reproduced. Some bluestone pieces in planter walls at the front of the building had to be replaced because of severe deterioration. Along with repointing mortar around the entire building, crews also took great care to restore slate roof tiles and parts of the original built-in copper gutter system.
In November, the massive stained glass overlooking the main stairs of City Hall was replaced. Plexiglass on the outside of the building was installed to protect the intricate, decorative windows that have been painstakingly restored.
In addition to planned project details, city council approved legislation in November to accept a donation from the Architectural Heritage Association that provided bronze plaques indicating accessible entrances, the release stated.
There are a few things left to do, including painting the sign reading “Municipal Building” on the front of the building, Cognetti said during the announcement, which included a ribbon cutting of the last bit of yellow tape that marked construction.
Reflecting city history
Smurl said the project was done properly and would last for 50 years.
Rather than simply patching a problem, the city was able to remove temporary fixes and ensure the repairs and maintenance would last for the long term, he said.
He pointed out the building had been constructed in 1888 and for many years held the Police Department, complete with jail cells.
Councilman Thomas Schuster remembers touring the building as a boy scout in the late 1980s and seeing those cells.
Schuster said he believes that tour all those years ago may have planted a seed, inspiring his service to the city.