Building Timeline
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Cornerstone is laid
The cornerstone is laid at a Masonic ceremony with speeches by Mayor Philip B. Winston and Frank F. Davis, a prominent Minneapolis attorney. County periodicals and papers related to city and county business and construction are placed in the cornerstone.
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Granite
The last piece of granite, weighing three tons, is set in place in the cornice of the northeast turret of the clock tower.
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Windows of art glass
Ford Brothers Glass Company contracts to make and install windows of art glass in the rotunda at five dollars per square foot.
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Expansion of the vaults
The city and county plan expansion of the vaults in the Fourth Street tower of the City Hall and Courthouse.
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County Courtrooms
The county courtrooms are remodeled.
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Mezzanine
A mezzanine is inserted between the third and fourth floors on the city side, dropping the city council chamber ceiling to one-third its original height.
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A set of porcelain steel clock faces
A set of porcelain steel clock faces with stainless steel hands is installed in the main tower, and the numerals and hands are outlined with neon tubing.
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Copper roof
A copper roof weighing 180,000 pounds is installed in place of the original Spanish tile.
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Courtrooms
New courtrooms are created in unused space on the fifth floor and the tower clock is rebuilt.
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City council chamber
The city council chamber and offices are remodeled for the second time, to the plans of Bertil Fasth.
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Building
The building is sandblasted and tuck-pointed.
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Air conditioning
Air conditioning is installed on the ground floor.
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All-electric system
The pneumatic bell-chiming system is replaced by an all-electric system, and a fifteenth bell is added.
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Jail intake
A new jail intake area and a security garage are built.
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Glassed-in rotunda
The Fifth Street entry is altered to accommodate a two-story, glassed-in rotunda and a tunnel to the new Government Center.
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Expansion
The fifth-floor jail undergoes major expansion.
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Emergency Communications/911 Center
The sub-basement is remodeled for the Emergency Communications/911 Center
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Building's mechanical and life safety systems upgrade
The MBC begins upgrading the building’s mechanical and life safety systems in 23 stages. The project will be completed in 2021.
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City Council Chambers are restored
The City Council Chambers are restored to their original 1923 appearance.
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Rotunda
The Rotunda's buckling stained glass windows are repaired, the marble is cleaned, and historic-style lighting fixtures are installed.
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Clock
The Clock's hands are refurbished, the dial gears rebuilt, and a master clock unit installed to automatically set the time by GPS signal.
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Courtyard
A 5,000 square-foot green roof is installed in the interior courtyard to help control storm water drainage.
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4th street entrance
The building name and construction start date (1889 or ADMDCCCLXXXIX) were carved above the 4th Street entrance.
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Clock Faces
The Clock Faces are completely restored to their original glass appearence with backlighting.