For more than a year, scaffolding has hidden Tampa's only national landmark structure.
- Renovation of Tampa's Old City Hall almost done
- Restoring the 1915 city hall to cost $11.4M
- Tampa mayor says the century-old landmark worth perserving
Old City Hall, built in 1915, has recently been in the midst of a multi-million dollar makeover. Now, the renovation is 80 percent complete.
"It's going to be a beauty when she's done," said Walbridge Construction superintendent Donnie Roberts.
Roberts said replacing the terracotta balustrades have proved to be the toughest challenge so far.
The railings have long decorated the roof. But over the years, water had taken it's tolls on the older balustrades. It caused cracks that could not be repaired.
Now, tiny holes were added to the decorative railings so water can run out when it rains.
(Photo of Tampa's Old City Hall in 2015 when it turned 100-years-old)
"There was a thought in the beginning that we could salvage pieces, but when we got into it and did some work, we realized we were better off just to replace them all," said City of Tampa Architect James Jackson.
Meanwhile, workers continue to restore the bricks. They're also making sure the original bricks blend in with newer ones. About 12,000 bricks had to be replaced.
Restoring Tampa's Old City Hall is estimated to cost $11.4 million. But Tampa's mayor insists the century-old landmark is worth preserving.
"You don't want to lose your history, you don't want to lose those buildings that are a part of who you are and why you are successful," Mayor Bob Buckhorn said.
Workers are expected to finish the restorations by April of 2018.