Washington seeks state funds for City Hall roof replacement
Washington City Hall
Washington City Council approved an application for $600,000 of state grant funding to complete a comprehensive replacement of the City Hall roof after an inspection revealed its deteriorating condition.
Council also approved a local match of $100,000 to complete the application for the statewide Local Share Account grant program during a Thursday night meeting.
According to Councilman Andrew Callan, who leads the city’s Department of Parks and Public Buildings, a building inspection in July uncovered missing slates; masonry and marble issues; and other serious concerns.
The proposed project would replace the current slate sections with a new metal roof, and replace the flat sections of roof with a rubber roof system, Callan said.
Much of the current roof is believed to be original to when the building was converted from a post office into the city administrative center in the 1950s, with the building itself likely dating back to the 1930s, according to Councilman Ken Westcott.
According to Callan, it would likely take two years to see the project completed, as the grant program funds will not be awarded until 2027.
“It’s a major project, a major investment,” he said.
The Local Share Account (LSA) is one of the premier grants offered by the state Department of Economic and Community Development, which funds the program through a tax on casino gaming activities.
According to Councilman Joe DeThomas, the ongoing beautification project for City Hall’s facade is nearing completion, with the new landscaping already finished.
The only step left is to install the new flagpole once it arrives, he said.