BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN).....How does the Ryan administration plan on celebrating Buffalo City Hall's centennial?
By giving the iconic Niagara Square landmark a complete, top-to-bottom makeover, with the work starting next year and taking as long as eight years to complete.
Details about City Hall's long overdue makeover emerged as part of Ryan's proposed Capital budget that's currently under review by members of the Buffalo Common Council.
"One of the premises for any historic preservation project is to begin at the core," said local architect Clintom Brown, whose forte is historic preservation. "Buffalo City Hall is not only an architectural icon, it is one of the iconic centers of Buffalo and Western New York."
At 32 stories and 566313-square-feet, Buffalo City Hall is one of the tallest municipal buildings in the country.
Designed by architects George Dietel and John Wade, the Art Deco building is frequently studied by architecture students, historians and architecture buffs.
Although costs are still in flux, some preliminary estimates have the makeover costing as much as $215 million, but Deputy Mayor Ben Swanekamp says that is a very early estimate.
Swanekamp said Buffalo is seeking National Historic status for City Hall - a move that would allow the Ryan administration to go after federal grants and funding from foundations and 501(c)-3 organizations that could help underwrite restoration costs.
Buffalo may also use a funding path through the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority - a move that would save dollars because of the authority's sterling fiscal rating.
"We have to balance this with other capital needs," Swanekamp said.
Much of the work is not sexy or headline grabbing.
The list includes repair long stuck windows, power washing the building's Ohio Sandstone, Vermont granite and Minnesota limestone exterior and addressing needs for air conditioning and modernizing its heating system.
There's also restoration of the murals in the lobby, new lighting systems and elevator upgrades.
"We are talking about a building that is a point of pride for many<' Swanekamp said.
Construction began in September 1029 - less than one month before the Great Depression hit - and was completed in November, 1931 but not formally dedicated until July 1932.
The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
"No matter the what the cost is, it is worth it," Brown said.
BUFFALO CITY HALL FAST FACTS:
Number of windows (floors 1-25)..1,520
Number of exterior flood lights...369
Number of electrical outlets..5000
Number of electrical switches...5,400
Cooper wire...110 miles that weighs 43 tons
Conduit pipe: 47 miles that weigh 180 tons
Ryan administration wants to renovate Buffalo City Hall in time for its 2032 centennial celebration
Ryan administration wants to renovate Buffalo City Hall in time for its 2032 centennial celebration
