All the famous people, past and present, were there.

There were mayors, city council members, civic leaders, influential people, and simply interested citizens.

Crowds gathered in the downtown square for a ribbon-cutting ceremony befitting what has become one of the best places in the country to live and work.

Two years in the making and years in the planning, the new seven-story Huntsville City Hall officially opened on a hot and sunny Tuesday.

The road was closed off at the corner of Jefferson Street and Fountain Circle as a large crowd gathered to build a “100-year” building to replace an old structure that only lasted 60 years.

“Today we turn a new page in city government,” said Mayor Tommy Battle, “and we are proud to unveil to the citizens of Huntsville a City Hall that will stand the test of time for the next 100 years.”

“This is a building that is fitting for the region and befits our reputation as a modern, forward-thinking smart city.”

Among those in attendance were former Mayors Loretta Spencer and Steve Hettinger. In addition to Battle, City Council President David Little, City Administrator John Hamilton, General Manager Ricky Wilkinson, Goodwin Mills Cawood CEO Jeffrey Brewer, Turner Construction Company Vice President and General Manager Brendan McCormick and Arts Huntsville Executive Director Allison Dillon-Jauken spoke.

The old City Hall, which was set to be demolished when the site was set aside for the green space expansion of Big Spring Park, was not only in need of repairs but was not meeting the needs of Huntsville's growth.

Huntsville's new City Center brings together departments that frequently interact with the public in one location, providing efficient service to residents and business people who previously had to visit multiple locations to conduct business with the city.

Battle said the outdated look of the store had become something of an eyesore when discussing business with potential customers.

“They said that from the outside of City Hall you wouldn't know this was a first-class city, and they were right,” Battle says. “Our old City Hall had been there for 60 years and was in pretty good condition. It had housed the jail, the police station and the fire station at one time, and they had to move to another part of the city because they outgrew that building.

“Today, that chapter is over.”

City Hall floors:

• 1st: Huntsville-Madison County EMA, Printing, Inspection, Natural Resources, Fire Chief
• 2nd: Council room, personnel, administration
• 3rd: Finance, City Clerk and Community Development
• 4th; Planning/GIS; Engineering, Urban Development
• 5th: General Services, Law, ITS
• 6th: City council, meeting/training space
• 7th: Mayor's Office, Communications, DEI
  

  

Through collaboration with ArtsHuntsville, 9 pieces of public art are displayed throughout the building to enhance the community's cultural experience. Each piece tells the story of Huntsville through the artist's interpretation, highlighting the features that make our city unique.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the city held an open house so visitors could tour the building and view the artwork.

provider 256 today.