Lancaster's grand burghers gathered Thursday to formally dedicate the newly renovated and expanded City Hall. The historic 1888 Duke Street structure -- originally built for use as the main Post Office until its acquisition by the city in 1930 -- has been remodeled, modernized and joined at the hip with a new, complimentary annex behind it on Marion Street.
It is a visual delight that is -- to give a new twist to an old saying -- not bad for government work.
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| Ribbons were cut, of course |
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| The new City Council chambers |
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| The Council Chambers lobby doubles as an art gallery |
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| The juxtaposition of old and new creates some delightful geometries. Here, a porthole window in the northeast staircase |
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| And here, the main stairway of the new wing rises up to greet what once was the rear exterior of the original building |
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| The center of the old building has been opened up on the first floor, revealing a grove of squared columns with ornate capitals |
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| Worth a visit, if only to pick up a yard-waste bag... |
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| ...or to pop into the Mayor's office |
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| Art everywhere. Here, Bill Hutson's Lancaster Series on the 2d Floor |
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| The grand main entry, back in service |
