NEWBURYPORT — The renovation of City Hall didn't just turn heads in the city, but also caught the attention of those on Beacon Hill.
The Massachusetts Historical Commission will award the city its Preservation Award for the "outstanding contribution to historic preservation" stemming from the renovation of City Hall. William Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth, sent a letter to Geordie Vining, the city's senior project manager, to announce the award.
"The restoration of Newburyport City Hall demonstrates a commitment to historic preservation that goes well beyond what is normally expected," Galvin wrote.
Newburyport is one of nine projects getting honored statewide, five of which are in Boston, Vining said.
The city's $2 million project went in two construction phases: first the renovation of facade of the building and then a face-lift for the entrance to the building.
Renovation of the 156-year-old building's exterior started in July 2006.
Much of the building's brownstone was removed and replaced with cast stone, a material that looks very similar to brownstone but is reinforced and lasts much longer.
Windowsills and hoods, the wood molding on the top of City Hall, chimneys and details on the arched front entrance were part of the project, and workers rebuilt the front balcony and bird-proofed ledges to prevent nesting.
The second phase of construction started in August last year. The project included building a handicapped-accessible ramp at the front entrance of City Hall.
Other work includes moving the existing stairs out several feet from the building to construct a landing, installing new wooden doors that match the building's historic features and increasing the size of the vestibule.
Mayor John Moak said everything in the project went well, from Community Preservation Act funding to architecture and contractor work to the effort of the Planning Office.
"All of that leads to a project one should get an award for," Moak said. "It is a building that you can be proud of when you walk into it every morning."
Vining, the leader on the project, said: "I've always been proud of this renovation project, and it is nice to have this official recognition."
