COLUMBIA, MO (March 11, 2011) -

The public is invited to a rededication and open house at the historic Daniel Boone Building on Wednesday, March 16, 2011, from 6 – 7:30 p.m.  Located at 701 E. Broadway, the structure houses City government offices and has undergone extensive renovation over the last year.

The evening’s program includes comments by Mayor Bob McDavid; a presentation by the Boone County Historical Society; a ribbon-cutting by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors; tours and light refreshments.

Assistant City Manager Tony St. Romaine said that he is pleased to celebrate the completion of a massive construction project that also produced a new, five-story wing connected to the Boone building.  “Together, these two buildings and the connection between them provide 120,000 square feet of office space,” St. Romaine said.  “The space is extremely high quality, and it incorporates features that conserve energy, water and other resources.”

The buildings house more than 250 City employees, including many who once were located in rented quarters throughout central Columbia.  More services are centralized for better citizen access.

Most important on this occasion, however, is the renewed life of the hotel or “tavern” that has served as a community gathering place since it was built in 1917.  “The hotel was a social center until it closed in the 1960’s,” St. Romaine said. 

After it was damaged by fire in the early 1970’s, City of Columbia and Boone County officials jointly purchased, renovated and occupied the building, starting in 1975.  County government moved to its own facility in 1995, and the City assumed sole ownership.

“Even though the Boone Building became an inadequate, outdated workplace, there was never any question that it would be part of a new City Hall,” St. Romaine said.  “We are pleased to welcome everyone to see what’s new and what’s been revealed and restored from the past.”