Skip Navigation

  1. City Departments
  2. City Services
  3. Our City
    1. Accomodations
    2. Architecture
    3. Arts and Culture
    4. All America City
    5. Buffalo My City
    6. Buffalo Niagara Convention Center
    7. Visit Buffalo Niagara
    8. Buffalo Sports & Outdoor Recreation
    9. Education
    10. Buffalo Ambassadors
    11. 1 more items...
  4. Online Payments
  5. My Profile
    1. New User Registration
    2. Existing User Login
    3. Schedule Payment Instructions

Home > Leadership > Mayor > Archive Press Releases > 2008 Archives > July 2008 > Mayor Brown Announces Plan For City Hall Observation Deck

Mayor Brown Announces Plan For City Hall Observation Deck

Source/Contact
Office of the Mayor
Peter K. Cutler
Director of Communications
716-851-4841

Mayor allocates $20K for the improvement of observation deck interior; also announces plan to improve City Hall maintenance

Mayor Byron W. Brown today announced he will allocate $20,000 to help transform the interior area of the City Hall’s Observation Deck. The planned enhancements include adding historical and contemporary photography and interpretive signage features that will help provide visitors to the building’s 28th floor with a better understanding of what they see around them, as well as gain a better appreciation of the city’s and City Hall’s history. The initiative is being coordinated by the Office of Special Events, the Buffalo Arts Commission and the Mayor’s Office.

“Given City Hall’s historic status and incredible views offered to the public from the building’s Observation Deck, I have directed staff to work collaboratively with the Buffalo Arts Commission in transforming this key public space into a more visitor friendly environment,” said Mayor Byron W. Brown. “With all of the remarkable architectural buildings that are located throughout Buffalo as well as, our goal is to help all of our visitors better understand and appreciate what they are viewing from the Observation Deck.” 

The city plans to make several improvements to the highest floor of the building, which was dedicated in 1932. These include installing signage along the deck, which will explain to visitors of City Hall the significance of the view in every direction. Adding new historical pictures of the city will be added throughout the interior space of the Observation Deck, along with furnishings to make the location more inviting and welcoming.

“The Buffalo Arts Commission is committed to working with Mayor Brown’s Administration on the transformation of this important public space and we will help enhance the experience all visitors have when they visit this area of City Hall, as well as the other beautiful public spaces of the building,” said Barbra Kavanaugh, Chair of the Buffalo Arts Commission.

In addition to the plans to makeover City Hall’s Observation Deck area, Mayor Brown has directed the Commissioner of Public Works to put into a place a new City Hall inspection and maintenance plan to provide a daily maintenance schedule of City Hall to ensure that the historic building is properly maintained. The new strategy will help with the building up-keep efforts.

City Hall is in the midst of a multi-year, $11.1 million restoration effort that is being conducted in three phases. The approximately six-year effort (it began in late 2005) is funded through city capital bond funds.

Phase I of the project consisted of masonry restoration of Floors 15-28 and included installation of new glazing at the Observation Deck Level, new exterior lighting and cleaning.  The cost was $3,445,270 and this work was completed in August of 2007.

The scope of work for Phase II includes restoration and cleaning of the southern exterior section of the building, floors 1-14.  The cost of this phase is $3,191,170. Restoration includes replacement of damaged limestone and terracotta in various areas, replacement of all missing mortar, reconstruction of sections of parapet walls on the 14th floor, and recaulking of all windows.

Phase II is expected to be completed in October of 2009.  Exterior lighting and landscaping is in the design phase and is expected to be coordinated into the current project.

Phase III consists of Masonry Restoration of the north side of the structure and includes entry facades at the east and west elevations.  Complete building landscaping will be incorporated into this phase.  The approximate cost is $4,500,000 and the expected completion is October of 2011.

“We take the maintenance and care of City hall very seriously,” said Mayor Brown. “That’s why were investing millions of dollars into this ongoing restoration effort that will ensure that this historic building will be properly preserved for generations to come.  We will also redouble our efforts to ensure that the interior sections of the building are also properly maintained.  This is the ‘people’s building’ and we are committed to maintaining and preserving its remarkable beauty.”

At 71,700 sq ft. and 28 stories, Buffalo’s City Hall is one of the largest City Halls in the country.  The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.