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HomeMy WebLinkAboutKitchener City HallsCity of Kitchener Archives City Hall fonds, 1924-2011. Prepared by: Christina Pflug June 2001 Updated by: Hilda Sturm November 2011 CITY HALL fonds. - 1924-2011. - 126 cm of textual records, 104 cm of photographs, 1 artifact. Over the course of the last two centuries, Berlin/Kitchener has had several municipal buildings ranging from the Town Hall erected in 1869, to the classical design of city hall erected in 1924, to the rented space in an office building and to the contemporary lines of the present city hall. The Town Hall was built in 1869 and it housed the market vendors in the basement of the building as well as having the council chamber also serve as the magistrate's courtroom. A few years after the building was built, a separate building was erected to house the market. The first city hall was designed in a Neo-classic architectural form by the first mayor of the City of Berlin, William H. Schmalz. It was on the block bound by King, Frederick, Duke and Scott streets. In November 1924, Lieutenant Governor Cockshutt officially opened the City Hall. The building was praised as one of the finest structures of its kind in Ontario. The City Hall faced King Street and it was a 3 storey porticoed building topped with a clock tower. The Farmer's Market was located in a building in the rear of the City Hall. All city departments were housed in this building until it reached its life expectancy of 50 years and the rooms became too small and antiquated. It was decided amid much controversy, to tear it down. During the demolition, the clock tower portion of the building was saved to be used later and was stored until it was erected again at the entrance to Victoria Park. The City received a proposal from Oxlea Investments Ltd. to replace the city hall and market with the Market Square shopping mall and office tower. It was suggested that the City would be able to rent office space in the tower. This proposal appeared to be the answer to the numerous difficulties that were being encountered in the decades-old city hall, which included overcrowding and lack of accessibility among others. A referendum was held in which the public was asked whether the existing city hall should be demolished and a shopping centre and office tower erected in its place. The community agreed to this action by a narrow margin of 55%. For 20 years the all city departments were in the rented space of the Oxlea office building. In 1987 a downtown revitalization plan proposed the construction of a new city hall with the intention that it would provide amuch-needed focal point for the downtown area. A committee was subsequently formed in May 1987, which was responsible for determining the space requirements for the new city hall, recommending a suitable location, preparing a project schedule, and recommending the method of architectural selection. In 1988 city council gave its approval for the construction of a new city hall on the block of King, Young, Duke and College streets. There were several reasons why this site was chosen. Historically, the city hall had always been located on King Street and it was decided that this tradition should be continued. It was also determined that revitalization was needed in the west end of downtown and the city hall would provide this stimulus. In addition, the site was in alignment with Gaukel Street and Victoria Park, a focal point of the core area and construction on this block would not necessitate the demolition of significant heritage or industrial buildings. In May 1988 Council decided to run a national two-stage architectural competition which would generate a maximum number of designs for the new city hall. Nearly one and a half years later, in November 1989, the winning design was selected; the Toronto firm of Kuwabara, Payne McKenna, Blumburg was chosen out of the 153 design submitted. Although construction of the new city hall did not require the destruction of heritage buildings, there were however, 22 businesses and 70 tenants that had to be moved. In the spring of 1988 the displaced tenants appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board to stop the city hall plan. The Board ruled that the plan could continue and that the City had to find alternative accommodation for the tenants. In June 1991 construction on the new city hall commenced and it was completed in August 1993 at a cost of $65.1 million. The citizens of Kitchener were invited to view their new city hall in the grand opening ceremony that was held on September 18 1993, during a 3 day celebration. The current City Hall has a civic square facing King Street complete with a reflecting pool with fountains which during the winter months becomes a skating rink. It is oriented toward King St. and is designed to become a place where public events will be held. The building's front is U-shaped with two three-storey wings with the main building at the back of the square. The west wing is called the Ebytown Wing and the east wing is called the Sandhills Wing. The central, open rotunda defines the indoor public space and to the west is the council chamber and to the east is the office tower named the Berlin Tower. At the rear of the building, off the Duke Street entrance, there is the north garden dominated by the Horse Power sculpture. The building is made of various textures, one being red sandstone imported from India. The sandstone is used in the interior and as well as the exterior of the building. Black granite from Quebec was used for the pavement and floors. The green wall that extends for two floors is made of Welsh green slate and it points to Victoria Park. The council chamber was built reminiscent of a Roman amphitheatre and is a circular, modern, and approachable space and has more than double sitting space for the public. One of the meetings rooms, the Heritage Room, now houses the mahogany council furniture that was used in the 1924 and Oxlea city halls. The rotunda is an open space used for many events and gatherings. In 2013, the current City Hall building will celebrate its 20t" anniversary. The fonds consists of photographs which document various stages in the construction of the city hall. However, it also contains reports, visitor registers, plans, slides and correspondence. The records document the entire process ranging from the selection of the building design in October 1989 to the grand opening in September 1993. The fonds also consist of photographs, negatives, newspaper articles, and magazines on all Berlin/Kitchener municipal buildings. It also includes framed art and photographs of the municipal buildings. The records are arranged into seven series that reflect significant stages in the construction of the city hall as well as background information on all city halls. The material within each series is arranged in chronological order. Title based on the contents of the fonds. Records transferred to the Corporate Archives upon completion of the City Hall project. Records transferred to the Corporate Archives. 1: City Halls - 1924-2007. - 80 cm textual records, 60 cm photographs. This series contains information and photographs regarding all three buildings that were used for city business. It includes a photocopy of the invitation to the grand opening of the 1924 city hall along with a chronological history of the building. The series also includes newspaper articles regarding the demolition of the 1924 city hall and articles on the opinions regarding the decision to demolish and rebuild the city hall. It includes photographs, framed art, blueprints, negatives and articles on the 1924 city hall. It also includes photographs, framed art, articles and mortgage information on the present city hall. An index is available in Appendix A. 2: National Architectural Design Competition. - 1988-1990.- 10 cm textual records, 10 cm photographs. This series consists of reports by the Ad-hoc Steering Committee on Civic Accommodation, the official program of the competition, photographs and slides of the Architectural competition Awards night, visitor registers, and architectural renderings. The records are arranged in chronological order. It should be noted that the reports and programs are composed of both originals and photocopies. An index is available in Appendix B. 3: Groundbreaking. -1991-1993. - 6 cm textual records, 6 cm photographs. This series consists primarily of photographs of the Groundbreaking ceremony; and unofficial sod turning photographs, however, it also contains the official invitation to the ceremony, a news release, and a copy of a speech written by Terry Boutilier. An index is available in Appendix C. 4: Construction. - 1990-1995.-10cm textual records, 12 cm photographs. This series is comprised of photographs, news releases, copies of the invitations to the opening of the Reflecting Studio, information regarding the Time Capsule, along with a summary of construction details. The photographs are of particular interest as they provide a pictorial history of the construction of the current City Hall. The records are arranged in chronological order. An index is available in Appendix D. 5: Grand Opening.-Sept 13-19, 1993.-20 cm textual records, 16 cm photographs. This series consists primarily of photographs of the official opening of the current City Hall. It also includes "Come Celebrate!" the official commemorative magazine and a souvenir memorabilia and any articles. An index is available in Appendix E. 6: Recognition/Awards for Architectural Design. - 1989-1994.- 3 cm. This series contains information regarding awards and other recognition honouring the current City Hall building. It includes news releases regarding the Governor General's Award for Architecture along with articles that have been written on the design of the building. The records are arranged in chronological order. An index is available in Appendix F. 7: Furnishings/Artefacts.-1981,1997.- 8 cm. This series contains information regarding furniture and artifacts in the City's custody including furniture from former City Halls. It consists primarily of an inventory of the remaining pieces. In addition, information on artifacts that are in the City's possession is also included in the series. An index is available in Appendix G. APPENDIX A Series 1: City Halls Title Date Volume/Item Box City Hall Timelines 1924-1991 1-1 10857 Photographs - 1989 1-23 10857 proposed designs Opening of 1924 1924 1-24 10857 City Hall Invitation Photographs of 1993 7-1 10948 City Hall Photographs of 1993 7-2 10948 City Hall Photographs 1980's 7-3 10948 Correspondence 1991 8-1 10946 on Renovations to City Hall Perspectives 1997 9-1 10943 magazine article Magazine article 1997 9-2 10943 Blueprints of 1924 1924-1993 10-1 10937 City Hall Photographs of 1924-1993 10-2 10937 1924 City Hall Date Stone Marker 1960's 10-3 10937 Newspaper Articles 1991 10-4 10937 Calendar 1995 11-2 14384 Negatives of 1996 12-1 10919 Mortgage Shredding Ceremony 1924 Council 1960's - 1970's 13-1 10927 Chamber furniture -article & photographs Council Meetings - 1991-1991 14-1 14534 video Opening of 1924 1924 15-1 10141 City Hall Schmalz Family 2007 15-3 10141 Legacy CD Scrapbook 1972 17-1 10903 Scrapbook 1988 17-2 10903 Scrapbook 1972 17-3 10903 Scrapbook 1972 17-4 10903 Scrapbook 1972 18-1 10902 Boiler Installation 1957 19-1 10171 Steering 1990-1992 20-1 10170 Committee minutes 1924 City Hall 1950's 21-3 10168 building photo 1924 City Hall 1950's 21-4 10168 building photo Newspaper articles 1960-1993 22-1 10158 Mortgage 1996 23-1 12002 Shredding Ceremony Photographs 1991-2002 25-1 11176 Photograph - 1950's 25-2 11176 laboratory at City Hall Council Meetings - 1990-2004 26-1 11177 videos -Proposed City Hall Opening City Hall 1993 26-2 11177 Articles on building 1990-1991 27-3 11142 new City Hall City Hall Ground 1991 27-4 11142 Floor layout Architect material 1991 27-5 11142 French 1991 27-6 11142 Architectural magazine Books on 1991 27-7 11142 Architects Naming 1991 27-10 11142 recommendation 10 Anniversary 2003 27-11 11142 Self Guided Tour Book Calendar featuring 1973 28-1 11143 1924 City Hall City Hall 1995-2004 29-1 13592 photographs Project Manual V.5 1990 31-1 11208 - signage Publicity Report 1993 31-2 11208 Access facilities 1990-1994 32-1 11683 info Floor Plans 1950's 32-2 11683 Photograph 1950's 33-1 10925 Floor Plans 1991 34-1 13003 Floor Plans 1991 34-2 13003 Floor Plans 1991 34-3 13003 Floor Plans 1991 35-1 13005 Floor Plans 1991 35-2 13005 Floor Plans 1991 35-3 13005 Floor Plans 1991 36-1 13224 Drawings 1991 36-2 13224 Floor Plans 1991 36-3 13224 Floor Plans 1991 37-1 13322 Floor Plans 1991 37-2 13322 Floor Plans 1991 37-3 13322 Floor Plans 1991 38-1 13319 Floor Plans 1991 38-2 13319 Floor Plans 1991 38-3 13319 Floor Plans 1991 39-1 9390 Floor Plans 1991 39-2 9390 Photographs Mortgage Shredding 1996 40-1 13711 Redevelopment info 1971 41-1 12855 Civic Square naming 1993 43-1 13305 Background information 1924-1993 43-2 13305 Site location feasibility 1991 44-1 12817 Competition drawings 1991 44-2 12817 Architect firm bios 1989 44-3 12817 Cogeneration feasibility study 1990 44-4 12817 Space analysis final report 1987 44-5 12817 Design Competition Q&A 1989 44-6 12817 Future space requirements 1988 44-7 12817 "The Making of the Kitchener City Hall Competition" 1988 44-8 12817 Design & construction timeline 1988 44-9 12817 Professional advisor Selection process 1988 44-10 12817 Tour guide information 1993 44-11 12817 Photograph 1960's 46-1 11862 Photograph 1965 46-2 11862 Photograph 1955 46-3 11862 Photo Perspective 2006 47-1 12419 Newspaper Photo 2006 48-1 12458 Photographs 1998-2001 49-1 11193 Photographs 1984-2005 50-1 12290 Street Cleaning Man 1950's 51-1 10932 City Hall Puzzle n.d. 52-1 10911 Slides of City Hall 1990's 55-1 11843 Negatives 56-1 12996 Photographs 1995-2004 57-1 13592 Photographs 1995-2004 57-2 13592 Photographs 1993 58-1 14314 Photograph 2002 59-1 12544 Photograph 1939 60-1 12813 Photographs 1971-1988 61-1 12118 Oxlea Tower Council Chamber painting 1980's 62-1 Mphotograph - 0194 Framed oil painting of 1869 Town Hall 1924 63-1 Mphotograph - 0196 Framed photograph 1924 City Hall 1945 64-1 Mphotograph - 0204 Framed sketch of 1924 City Hall 1990's 65-1 Mphotograph - 0204 Framed artists rendering of 1993 City Hall 1993 66-1 Mphotograph - 0208 Framed painting - Christmas City Hall 67-1 7 Floor Framed painting - Christmas City Hall 68-1 9 Floor Framed painting - Christmas City Hall 69-1 7 Floor APPENDIX B Series 2: National Architectural Design Competition Title Date Volume/Item Box Reports 1988 1-2 10857 Conditions and 1989 1-3 10857 Program Photograph of 1989 1-4 10857 proposed design of City Hall Architectural 1989 1-5 10857 Awards Night program Space Program 1990 1-6 10857 summary Architectural 1989 1-7 10857 Renderings Architectural 1989 1-8 10857 Renderings Visitor Register (2) 1989 2-1 10833 Photographs and 1989 2-2 10833 slide of Architectural Competition Awards Night Competition 1990 4-4 9916 submission Schematic Design 1990 30-1 10725 APPENDIX C Series 3: Groundbreaking Title Date Volume/Item Box Miscellaneous 1991 1-9 10857 documents Souvenir button 1991 1-10 10857 Photographs 1991 3-1 10831 Town Portrait - 1991 3-2 10831 group photograph Sod turning 1991 6-1 13712 photographs Negatives -Ground 1991 12-2 10919 Breaking Ceremony Framed town 1993 70-1 Mphotograph -0160 portrait -group photograph APPENDIX D Series 4: Construction Title Date Volume/Item Box Floor Plans 1990 1-11 10857 Building 1990-1993 1-12 10857 Specifications Time Capsule 1993-1995 1-13 10857 information "My Dad Helped 1993 1-14 10857 Build City Hall" stickers Mayor's Thank-you 1993 1-15 10857 to Construction Staff Pictorial history of 1991-1993 3-3 10831 construction Negatives of 1991-1993 4-1 9916 Pictorial history Photographs 1991 4-2 9916 "Kitchener My City" citizens' art Construction 1991 4-3 9916 photographs Sandstone 1990 4-5 9916 excavation Monthly pictorial 1991-1993 5-2 11175 photographs Construction 1991 21-1 10168 photographs Signage boards 1993 21-2 10168 APPENDIX E Series 5: Grand Opening Title Date Volume/Item Box Official Commemorative Magazine 1993 1-16 10857 Souvenir bag 1993 1-21 10857 Grand Opening info 1993 1-22 10857 Photographs 1993 5-1 11175 Commemorative Magazine 1993 10-5 10937 Grand Opening pin and ribbon 1993 11-1 14384 Negatives and 1993 12-3 10919 photographs -Grand Opening Commemorative section 1993 15-2 10141 and photographs Commemorative 1993 16-1 10908 newspaper section Photographs 1993 24-1 9912 Photographs 1993 25-3 11176 Artwork -Grand 1993 27-1 11142 Opening Media info -Grand 1993 27-2 11142 Opening Self-guided tour book 1993 27-8 11142 Grand opening pins 1993 42-1 14534 Opening ceremonies 1993 43-3 13305 tapes Videos -Grand 1993 53-1 14548 Opening Video -City Hall ad 1993 54-1 14547 APPENDIX F Series 6: Recognition/Awards for Architectural Design Title Date Volume/Item Box Governor General's 1994 1-17 10857 award for Architectural Design Information Design Articles 1989-1990 1-18 10857 Medal for Governor 1993 27-9 11142 General's award APPENDIX G Series 7: Furnishing/Artifacts Title Date Volume/Item Box Inventory of 1997 1-19 10857 Furnishings Donations of 1981 1-20 10857 Artifacts Concordia Club 1994 43-4 13305 Medallion Commemorative 1973 45-1 10843 plate