City Hall statues get makeovers
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on January 30, 2007 1:51 PM
For the first time in more than 100 years, Liberty and Justice will not be keeping watch over downtown Goldsboro.
The statues, which have been looking down on Center Street from atop the original City Hall building since the early 1900s, were taken down this morning as part of Phase II of the city's three-phase city hall project.
Assistant City Manager Tasha Logan said they will be transported to the Conservation Solutions studio in Virginia for restoration, an undertaking that will cost $190,000.
And while the price might seem high to some, Ms. Logan said members of the City Council believe the restoration is the right thing to do.
"They're trying to preserve the history of Goldsboro and that's a piece of our history we're trying to maintain," she said. "I think the statues add character to the building. It's a monument that says, 'This is Goldsboro.'"
Phase II calls for the renovation and restoration of the original City Hall facility.
Members of the city management team will have a pre-bid meeting Wednesday and expect to narrow down the list of potential construction crews sometime in the near future.
Ms. Logan said there is no telling yet when the restoration work will begin or end.
"We'll have to wait until the bids come in to know anything for sure," she said.
Once completed, several city departments and the council's chambers will be housed there.
The project is expected to cost between $3.8 and $4 million. Completion of a parking lot, pedestrian bridge and fountain also will be included in the effort.
And while there is still no timetable for the grand opening of the facility, Ms. Logan said the statues should be ready to go within six months.