City Hall needs an extreme makeover

Cracked steps, entrance littered with bird droppings

City Hall is 113 years old, and is showing its age.
The brick building on Grove Street in downtown Jersey City has undergone many changes to its interior and exterior, especially $2 million in renovations after a September 1979 fire destroyed the top floor and damaged one of the two elevator shafts, including one that still does not work.
But an examination of the building, outside and inside, reveals it is in dire need of maintenance. The front steps are cracked and chipped, the doorway of one of the unused entrances is covered with bird droppings, and various sections are in need of a serious paint job, such as the ornamental brass on the staircases.

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City spokesperson Jennifer Morrill said “no current plans for major improvements” at City Hall are scheduled presently.
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If there is a bright spot, it is the City Council Chambers. The chambers was the recipient of a $1.9 million renovation and reopened for meetings in November 2008 with a new sound system, overhead projection screen, new carpeting and paint job.
As far as future improvements to the rest of the building, city spokesperson Jennifer Morrill said “no current plans for major improvements” at City Hall are scheduled. Morrill did say repair work on the steps is scheduled for next month.
Morrill also noted several improvements have occurred in the past three years, including new carpeting and flooring in certain offices and the installation of new boilers. As far as providing for the upkeep of the exterior of the building, she said power washing is done on an “as-needed” basis.
The exterior of City Hall is handled by the city’s Division of Parks & Forestry and the interior is handled by the Division of Building and Street Maintenance.
Ricardo Kaulessar can be reached at rkaulessar@hudsonreporter.com.

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