Crews Begin City Hall Clock Face Overhaul

Work is now taking place in the clock tower of the Minneapolis City Hall/Hennepin County Courthouse building. This work will completely remove the white clock faces and replace them with glass similar to what was originally in place when the building was constructed more than a century ago. The steel framing will also be removed and replaced with cast aluminum. With neon lights already removed, the newly installed clock faces will be back-lit.

This week, crews will start removing the southern-facing clock face. Over the next few weeks, the other three clock faces will be removed one by one. Tarps will cover the clock opening until new glass clock faces can be installed. The hands of the clock will be taken down and refurbished as well. Plans call for all four faces of the clock to be completed by the end of 2016.

The Municipal Building Commission has served as the steward for the historic City Hall/Courthouse building since 1904. Free tours, including audio of the building are available every third Wednesday of the month at noon or call 612-596-9512.  For more information, visit www.municipalbuildingcommission.org.