Linda Seida

By: centraljersey.com
LAMBERTVILLE – Residents are invited Friday, Oct. 1, to the grand opening of City Hall where they can get a look at the results of a $1.6 million renovation.
The unveiling of improvements and upgrades that began more than a year ago, in June 2009, will take place at 11 a.m. The public will be able to take a walk-through of the historic structure at 18 York St.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will feature state Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Lori Grifa and Mayor David Del Vecchio.
DCA awarded a $300,000 Small Cities Community Development Block Grant in 2003 toward the cost of the renovation. The New Jersey Historic Trust in 2005 contributed a $486,180 grant. The city kicked in the balance.
The project included the addition of handicapped-accessible bathrooms and an elevator, making the entire City Hall ADA-compliant. However, the third floor has not been fully renovated at this time, according to Acting Clerk Cynthia Ege. The contractor, Watertrol, of Cranford, added an addition to the back of the building. The addition, designed to be as minimal as possible, houses the elevator.
The renovation also included a new slate roof and the addition of copper downspouts. A repointing of the entire stone exterior was performed, and all windows were glazed and painted.
Before the elevator installation, persons with disabilities still could make use of the offices housed at City Hall, but it was awkward. For example, they could not reach the construction and finances offices on the second floor so the service they needed was brought down to the first floor.
The historic house that became City Hall in 1950 is also known as the A.H. Holcombe House. It was constructed in 1871 by an attorney as a gift for his bride.
Over the years, the structure has had its share of woes, including holes in the roof that allowed birds to enter.