Aug. 3—Progress on Aiken's new city hall building is underway and the facility is expected to open to the public in early summer 2022.

The exterior facade of the former Regions Bank and Henderson Hotel building, located at 111 Chesterfield St. S., will remain intact for historical preservation. The building with its new additions will become the one-stop location for Aiken residents to conduct business.

In total, the building will be approximately 35,000 square feet. The city expects to move about 60 employees when it opens, and the building can hold up to 90 employees. According to City Manager Stuart Bedenbaugh, the project will cost $13.58 million.

The future headquarters will replace the city's municipal and finance hubs, 214 Park Ave. S.W. and 135 Laurens St. S.W. The latter was sold for more than $1 million and is now home to an SRP Federal Credit Union branch.

The additions to the building are notated by a dark chocolate brickwork on either side. Mark Chostner, a project manager with Capstone Services LLC, said this is to help keep with the theme of the historic building.

The first floor of the building will house the Planning Department, building inspections, water and property tax payments, business licensing, revenue administrators and tourism offices.

The original dentil moldings and pillars from the old structure will be kept. In addition, wide countertop spaces with glass divides between staff and residents will be included as safety and business precautions.

"It hopefully improves the overall experience anyone has interacting with the City of Aiken," Chostner said.

The second floor will house city managers and administrators, human resources, risk management, IT and economic development. The office spaces will come equipped with conference rooms and storage for the staff.

"I think this is going to be a big stepping stone for launching even more projects, more growth, more infrastructure, everything we need," City Council member Andrea Gregory said.

The third floor will be home to the new City Council chambers, mayor's office, executive session conference rooms and the finance break room.

Gregory is excited to have the government in one centralized location that benefits the staff.

"It's really going to change that dynamic. It's very simple, we are moving into the future and that is really kind of a slogan," Gregory said. "We are moving into the future and our council feels the same way. We want to conserve all of our traditions, our culture, which is so important, but we have to be able to hold on to those components and move Aiken into the future. I'm glad to be a part of it and I couldn't be any more proud."

Mayor Rick Osbon agrees and is reminded of the journey to this point.

"It's kind of special for us because this was a dream of Mayor Odell Weeks and longtime City Manager Roland Windham," Osbon said. "They had always talked about this building being a city hall and so to make that dream come to fruition during our time here is pretty special."

While the historic outside remains the same, the interior was built to last for generations to come. A drive-thru for payments and a drop box as well as an increased 58 parking spots are all features to help citizens of Aiken.

"We are talking about legacy planning as well," city council member Lessie Price said. "Not a short phase but it will last for generations and decades and that is why we are excited about planning not only for the present but for the future as well."