- Officials say one of the things City Hall needs is a pressure wash. They have to proceed carefully because of the building's soft stone construction. (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter/Houston Public Media)
- Entrance to Houston City Hall. (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter/Houston Public Media)
- Doorway has medallions featuring lawmakers throughout the centuries (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Doorway has medallions featuring lawmakers throughout the centuries (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Art Deco detail on building's facade (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Doorway detail at Houston City Hall (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Plaque bears the name of President Franklin Roosevelt (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- City Hall cornerstone (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Plaque features several well-known names in Houston history (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Colorful flower bed at Houston City Hall (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Former Houston First Lady Elyse Lanier tours City Hall grounds with Mayor Sylvester Turner. (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Former Houston First Lady Elyse Lanier tours City Hall grounds with Mayor Sylvester Turner. (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Improvement plan includes work on the building itself as well as the surrounding grounds. (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Artist's rendering of City Hall improvements (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Floor medallion at Houston City Hall (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Ceiling detail at Houston City Hall (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- The Houston City Hall lobby is often used for art exhibits and historical displays (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Ceiling detail from Houston City Hall lobby (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Detail next to interior doorway (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Ceiling detail from Houston City Hall lobby (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Ceiling detail from Houston City Hall lobby (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Ceiling detail from Houston City Hall lobby (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Words over an old water fountain in City Hall Lobby (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
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Houston City Hall dates back to the late 1930's, when it was built as a federal public works project near the end of the Great Depression. While the building maintains its original Art Deco style, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner says it desperately needs some upgrades.
To do that work, supporters of the effort are launching a big fundraising campaign for the first phase of a long-term improvement project.
As for the building itself, Turner said they want to seal windows and do a much-needed pressure wash. Around the building, they're looking at fresh landscaping, along with upgrades to pedestrian walkways and lighting.
"If you walk around these areas you will see there are a number of public safety hazards," said Turner. "And especially if people are walking at nighttime."
Those improvements are expected to cost just under $5 million. The city hopes to raise funds in the private sector with the help of former Houston first lady Elyse Lanier and businessman Billy Burge.
"What we are learning here at City Hall is we have to leverage with others outside in order to get the resources we need," said Turner.
The city said it hopes to do that work over a period of a few months before moving on to other improvements.
