Cartersville Revitalizing Historic Block As 'City Hall Campus'

The City of Cartersville is building a new city hall aimed at revitalizing and enhancing its historic downtown district. A conceptual site plan was unveiled at last week’s city council meeting.

“This project marks a significant milestone for Cartersville,” said City Manager Dan Porta in a release. “We are not only preserving our heritage but also building a modern, functional space that will serve our community for generations to come.”

Kennesaw-based Croft & Associates was hired to prepare plans for the estimated $7.1 million City Hall at the corner of North Erwin and West Church streets. They’re also designing a new $22.5 million Parks and Recreation Center slated for a nearby tract at 640 N. Tennessee St.

The plan for the three story, 15,000 square foot city hall contains “innovative features designed to preserve the city’s rich history while meeting modern community needs,” the release states.

The project focuses on revitalizing the block currently occupied by City Hall, the City Office Building, and the vacant building at 19 N. Erwin St. that once served as city hall and, later, as a fire station.

A key highlight of the plan is to preserve the historic facade of the old city hall/fire station, to include a picnic area where historic photos and facts will be showcased. The city council approved on July 2 an additional contract with Croft for structural analysis of the building.

The idea behind the design is to overhaul and open up the entire block “to enhance pedestrian traffic flow downtown and create inviting green spaces and natural beauty for the community and staff to enjoy.”

The transformed block will feature a new City Hall building that will accommodate multiple city departments, Municipal Court, and city council chambers. Additionally, the campus will include a renovated city office building and improved parking facilities.

About a mile to the north will be the new 52,000 square foot Parks and Recreation Center. The city council approved in mid-June the demolition of several old houses on the tract.

The center is expected to house three basketball courts, two fitness rooms, a gymnastics room, an oversize lobby for groups, a front counter greeting and check-in station, an administrative area with three offices, a concession area, a large storage space, five restrooms — two sets plus one for families — and an elevated walking track.

The projects are expected to be ready to put out for construction bids in early 2025.