The State Historical Fund, a program of the Colorado Historical society, has awarded the City of Pueblo a grant to help complete the exterior renovations at City and Memorial Halls.

The city requested $200,000 for the project which will complete Phase II of the Renovation. Phase I of the project included the installation of a clay tile roof, replacement of gutters, and restoration of the cupola tower. Previous roof and gutter damage extended well into the exterior brick and stone work of both buildings and urgently needs to be repaired.

Phase II will repair all damaged exterior brick, stone, and terra cotta, replace exterior metal doors and transoms with replicas of the original units, as well as the original windows on Memorial Hall. The exterior facelift work will reflect the extensive renovation work occurring inside both buildings.

The $200,000 state grant will be matched by approximately $400,000 in local funds. Those funds will come from the $10-million dollar bond issue approved by voters to restore Memorial Hall. This is the first large scale exterior renovation of City Hall and Memorial Hall a since their construction in 1917.

The final part of the renovation project will begin this fall and is expected to end in Fall, 2012 while Memorial Hall expects to be open by Spring of 2013.