City shows off new offices
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on June 27, 2006 1:50 PM
Jim Howe ran his fingers along the wall as he approached Mayor Al King's new office. When he reached the vaulted entrance and took a first look inside, his eyes lit up.
"This is a dignified place," he said, pointing at the large, curved window and King's large desk. "This is just how I would have pictured it."
Heavy afternoon rains didn't stop more than 100 residents from making their way to Center Street Monday for the official unveiling of Goldsboro's new City Hall.
News-Argus/Mitch Loeber
Pat Setzer talks with Mayor Al King in his new office in City Hall during an open house tour of the new city facility Monday.
Residents, elected officials and city staff enjoyed food, tours and a few words of thanks from project leaders and special guests.
Mary Rhoe said she hopes the $4.7 million facility will set a high standard for neighboring businesses and future city projects.
"It's out of sight," she said. "We've waited all these many years for an awesome building like this. It means growth. I think this is going to be a stepping stone."
Mrs. Rhoe added she hopes the city won't allow one project's success to downplay the work that still needs to be done downtown. A civic center on Center Street would be a nice next step, she said.
Tom Potter also enjoyed touring the 30,000-square-foot building.
"We sure needed it," he said.
Potter said he also hopes the City Council will continue its planning and execution of other projects -- but not a civic center.
"The community center, the one that burned down, needs to be rebuilt," he said.
Ada Best was just happy to see how beautiful the building turned out. Now, it's up to the rest of downtown to live up to the standard it has set, she said.
"You're going to see some more buildings go up now," she said.
District 1 representative Jimmy Bryan said more development is something residents can count on.
"I think in the future, you're going to see a lot of things happening in downtown Goldsboro," he said.
District 3 council member Don Chatman wasn't looking to the future Monday. He was just happy to see the project come to fruition.
"I never did think I would see a new city hall," he said. "But, finally, we made it."