By Eric Curl
Dec. 10, 2022 – The city is moving forward with plans to restore three historic government buildings.
On Thursday, the Savannah City Council approved contracts related to the restoration of city hall, the Gamble Building, and the Savannah Police department’s headquarters.
Ethos Preservation was awarded a $$490,395 design contract for the restoration of city hall, which has had no interior restoration beyond regular maintenance and the installation of some modern systems since it was built between 1904-1906, according to city officials.
The contract comes more than four years since an analysis by Lominack Kolman Smith Architects reported issues such as cracked mosaic tile, damaged wood trim, damaged columns, altered window sashes, missing brass door knobs, active water intrusion and electrical deficiencies.
The restoration will focus on portions of city hall’s front public space, including the council chambers, the rotunda, the main stairwell and the entrance lobby.
Police headquarters
Savannah’s 153-year-old police headquarters at 201 Habersham St. will undergo exterior and interior renovations following the council’s award of a $7.8 million contract to Johnson-Laux Construction.
Since about 100 employees will need to be relocated during the project, the city council approved a 3-year lease agreement for use of an office building at 6600 Abercorn St. The initial annual rent will be $414,550, and this base rental rate will increase at 3% per year.
After the renovations are completed and police department employees are back downtown, the space will be used to accommodate other employees who are currently working in substandard conditions, according to city officials.
Gamble Building
The city council also approved a $960,833 contract with Johnson-Laux Construction for interior demolition work in the Gamble Building, as part of a plan to once again use the building for employee offices.
Built in 1877, the city had vacated the building in recent years as part of the past administration’s plan to sell the property. Preferring to retain ownership, the current council abandoned that plan after a previously approved sales agreement fell through. The city expects a full renovation contract to go out to bid in the fall of 2023.
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