The community and city and state officials celebrated the opening of the new city hall during an open house Saturday. The city hall is at 102 S. Buffalo St., previously the location of the National City Bank building, in downtown Warsaw. The former city hall was at 302 E. Market St. Scearce-Rudisel Architects oversaw renovations, and Harold McComb & Sons were the general contractors. The council chambers occupy the first floor as well as the clerk-treasurer and wastewater payment offices. The mayor’s and human resources offices are on the second floor as well as the building and planning office. Warsaw Redevelopment Commission recently approved an agreement under which OrthoWorx, a nonprofit orthopedic industry initiative, will occupy the third floor of the building. Those who attended Saturday’s open house had the opportunity to tour the new city hall. Prior to the tours, a celebration with music performed by Warsaw Community High School jazz band and speeches by local and state officials took place. Brad Kellar, Warsaw Police Department detective, sang the National Anthem. The city purchased the 100-year old building from the Jay Maish family. The total cost of the building with renovations was $3.3 million. Jay, his wife, Jeanne, and his mother, Gloria Shenefield, attended the open house. Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer provided remarks. Thallemer said the Maish family approached the city in 2010 about the possibility of repurposing the building as it came off a 100-year lease. He thanked the Maish family for their commitment to the city. “The transformation of this 100-year old building perpetuates a downtown legacy that is a reflection of our city’s heritage,” Thallemer said. “It is a symbol of service to our community and it is a building that will anchor our downtown for hopefully another 100 years.” Thallemer read a letter from Marlin Stutzman, U.S. third district congressman, congratulating the city on its new city hall. “This is a high honor for the city of Warsaw. The city has been able to streamline most departments under one roof, an achievement that will better serve the Hoosier tax payers,” Stutzman wrote. State Representative Rebecca Kubacki spoke about the city hall as a downtown asset. “I’m proud to say our downtown is booming and that isn’t by accident, it’s leadership like our past Mayor Ernie Wiggins and current Mayor Joe Thallemer,” Kubacki said. Thallemer said former mayors Jeff Plank and Ernie Wiggins fostered the need and vision for a new city hall. Wiggins thanked the city for its commitment to the vision for a new city hall and also thanked the Maish family for their vision for the building. “I think this is an asset that will serve the community well for many years to come,” Wiggins said. City Council President Diane Quance recognized council members in attendance, and said the city hall will allow the city to represent its constituents more efficiently. “This isn’t our building, it belongs to the people of this community,” Quance said. The ceremony ended with Father Phil DeVolder, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, giving a blessing on the city hall. There was a ribbon cutting, self-guided tours, and a slide presentation on the history of the city hall location.
