City Hall - Fairbanks, AK
Posted by: 
Megadrile
N 64° 50.383 W 147° 43.234
6W E 465817 N 7190786
Fairbanks City Hall stands proudly.
Waymark Code: WM3E7F
Location: Alaska, United States
Date Posted: 03/22/2008
Views: 35
Visit City Hall and view the historical quilt display in the Council Chambers, or see their work in progress, the "Hall of Mayors," with photos and histories of all of Fairbanks' mayors. There is also the "History of Main School" ,which portrays the historic building we now call City Hall.
Main School was opened on January 22, 1934, with 16 teachers and 318 students. By 1939, the school was overflowing, and the City added a 12,350 square foot wing on the building's south side. Then, in 1948, after expanding the boundaries of the School District, Main School found itself again cramped for space. A new wing was added onto the north side of the building. With the south and north additions to the original school, the floor plan became very irregular -- so much so that the building became maze-like. The local police even used the building for tactical exercises because of its perplexing side hallways.
In 1993, the School District Offices moved out of the building. Main School was boarded up and the heat turned off -- an unfortunate event that resulted in significant water and frost damage. Then, in December 1994, several City offices moved into the building. Basic renovation was done in some rooms and hallways, by City employees on their own time, and Main School began the transformation into City Hall.
On September 9, 1995, a reception honoring the dedication of the Charles W. Fairbanks Sculpture and the Rededication of Historic Main School as Fairbanks City Hall was held. On January 8, 1996, the Mayor and City Council proudly held their first meeting in the newly completed Council Chambers.
City Hall now houses the City Mayor's Office, the City Clerk's Office, the City Attorney's Office, the Building Department, the Engineering Department, the Finance Department, the Personnel Department, and City Council Chambers. The Fairbanks Youth Center (also known as The Boys and Girls Club) occupies part of the building. Fairbanks Youth Court moved into one of the empty offices in April of 1997. Fairbanks Amateur Boxing Club set up residence in July of 1998. This club is headed by Bill Fairbanks, a boxing instructor and role model who specializes in helping disadvantaged youth through leadership, discipline, and physical fitness. The Fairbanks Coalition for Community-Oriented Policing is currently setting up an office in the rear of the building. David Leone is the Executive Chair. Partnered with the City of Fairbanks and the Fairbanks Police Department, their mission is to promote community-oriented policing and problem-solving, recognizing that law enforcement cannot do their job without the help and input from the community.
Name: Historic Main School
Address:
800 Cushman Street
Fairbanks, AK USA
99701
Date of Construction: 1934
Architect: Tourtellotte and Hummel
Web Site for City/Town/Municipality: [Web Link]
Memorials/Commemorations/Dedications: Not listed
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