AUBURNDALE, Fla.--  For the first time in 91-years, the Auburndale City Hall is getting a makeover due to extensive water damage.

  • First renovation since 1927
  • Water damage noticeable for years
  • City hopes work done later this Summer

For years, water has seeped in through the bricks, causing extensive water damage.

Scaffolding now covers the building's exterior as crews work tediously to remove old mortar and caulk from between the bricks.

The city's Community Development Director, Amy Palmer said they've noticed the water damage for a while. 

"We first started seeing some water damage back in the 2004 hurricane season. It's been patch worked over the years. It was time to address the building as a whole," said Palmer. 

For nearly a year, crews worked to remove and replace old mortar and caulk, a time-consuming and labor intensive process that sometimes involves a chisel and a hammer. 

"You need to restore it. You know it's 91 years old I would think. I wouldn't want to tear it down. So yeah, that's great," said resident Jeff Snowball.

The city hall was built in the style of the Italian Renaissance Revival in 1927 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has served as the center of business in the small city ever since. 

"We've got to maintain this historic treasure really for the city," said Palmer. 

The backside is done. Peachee Construction out of the Lakeland is the lead contractor on the job. 

The city hopes the work will be done sometime this summer.