Work is starting this week to tear down the over 140-year-old Hartford City Hall.
Constructed as a bank back in the early 1880s, the building was damaged by a severe windstorm the morning of July 4. Leiser Excavating is handling the work, and Mayor Kenny Hamman doesn’t expect a long demolition process.
Finding a new location for City Hall and then constructing a building? That’s a longer process. Hamman says the City Council has been discussing potential locations, including last week, and will continue those conversations as part of a special meeting soon. The current City Hall space is an option, along with an unlisted number of other addresses in town. The goal is to build a new city hall as opposed to filling previously-built space.
For now, City Hall operations are in a trailer behind the new Community Center — after a brief time in the community building immediately after the storm.
Hamman and City Council members have been fielding a lot of concerns from people across the area who say the building could be saved. Hamman says that’s not the case, with mold and water damage now a concern after the city couldn’t find a crew to tarp the roof after the July 4 severe weather.
Hartford Junior/Senior High School is adjusting its operations next week. Starting Monday, the south side of the school will be closed. Buses will drop off and pick up students on the east side of the building, which is also where parent drop-off and pickup will be. Students are told to use the east parking lot near the greenhouse and garage for their vehicles.
