Saturday, September 19, 2015
After Troy was incorporated in 1955, the City’s population and its demands for City services grew quickly. By November 1966 the number of residents had nearly doubled from the 1955 census count of 13,673 and the City staff had outgrown the modest space provided in the old 1927 Township Hall.
A Building Authority chaired by Welling Akin worked several years on the plans, financing, and construction for a new City Hall located on the 89-acre Civic Center site on Big Beaver Road. Construction was started on May 8, 1965 and the building was open for business on September 19, 1966. The original 2-story structure, designed by architect Frank Straub and Associates, included 30,000 square feet. The modern building featured terrazzo floors and Council Chambers with fixed theater seating. The cost for the project was:
Building and Landscaping $715,495
Paving and Parking Lots 51,122
Utilities 17,380
Total $783,997
The formal dedication of City Hall was held on November 12, 1966 at 1:15 pm. Mayor Vincent McAvoy welcomed Rev. Richard S. Emrich, the Episcopal Bishop of Michigan who gave the dedication address.
Photos:
Mayor McAvoy and dignitaries at the November 12, 1966 dedication
Bishop Emrich provided the keynote in Council chambers for the dedication
Source:
Program for the Dedication Ceremony, Troy Historic Village archive
To commemorate the City of Troy’s 60th Anniversary in 2015, we will publish a different story each day that highlights a person, discovery, or event that occurred locally, regionally, nationally, or even globally between 1955 and 2015 and that helped shape our lives and our community. We will try to post stories on important anniversary dates, but we also realize that dates are less critical than content and context. We will include the facts related to controversial stories, allowing our readers to form their own opinions. We invite you to read and comment on the stories. Your suggestions for topics are also welcome and can be posted on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/TroyHistoricVillage. You can also email stories or ideas to the 365 Story Editor at ed@thvmail.org.
