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ROCKFORD — RENOVATED CITY HALL

Renovated hall

Mayor Charles E. Box and Rockford City Council members proudly opened the doors to the newly renovated Rockford City Hall on February 6, 1994. An Open House attended by an estimated 2,000 citizens gave local residents a first look at the $10.8 million renovation project.

The original building was constructed in 1926 as the Manufacturer's National Bank. The Bank was closed during the depression after five short years of operation. The City of Rockford purchased it in 1937 and gradually filled the eight-story structure. Over the past few decades the building gradually lost efficiency due to over-crowding and outdated mechanical, electrical and HVAC systems.

Due to the historic nature of the building, as well as its contributing status to the East State Street Rockford Historic District, city officials worked diligently with the Illinois State Historic Preservation Agency in laying out a design for the renovation of the building as well as constructing a 20,000 square foot addition. During negotiations with the Illinois State Historic Preservation Agency, the city was granted permission to demolish four adjacent buildings with the agreement to renovate the former 22 foot high ceiling lobby space as designed by the original architects for the Manufacturer's National Bank.

Renovated city hall

In February of 1990, the Rockford City Council approved a plan to renovate the existing building and to expand to the west. Demolition of the adjacent buildings began in May of 1992, and construction began immediately following the demolition. The original eight-story tower was completely gutted, and the second floor that was added in 1959 was also demolished. The demolition of the second floor and the renovation of the lobby offered the most challenging and exciting aspect of the entire project. The restoration of the original bank lobby was tied directly to the goals that were set out by city officials when the project was first contemplated.

The primary goals of the project were:

1. Provide citizens with a City Hall that would evoke feelings of "civic pride";

June 1994 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 5


renovated city hall

2. Establish a safe, comfortable work environment for city employees;

3. Maintain the historic character of the existing building with the exterior design begin sensitive to the existing building and the historic street-scape;

4. Provide that functions visited most frequently by the public be easily accessible and close to street level;

5. Provide a building entrance to the south adjacent to the parking lot;

6. Design office areas for efficiency and flexibility;

7. Bring the project in "on time and under budget".

As the project went through design development, each of the above goals were worked into the various elements of the design. City officials are proud of the fact that each one of these goals have been met, especially goal number 7. The city relocated its offices nearly six wrecks ahead of schedule and has nearly $500,000 left from the original bonding authorization.

Rockford's City Council has recognized citizens' heightened interest in their new City Hall. The Council is allowing not-for-profit organizations to use the lobby space for fundraising activities and other community related events. Because of the renovation and the construction of the addition, Rockford City Hall is now a true reflection of Rockford's past with a vision towards its future.



Submitted by: Samuel J. Schmitz., City Administrator

Page 6 / Illinois Municipal Review / June 1994


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