City Hall renovation project managers gave the Georgetown City Council a detailed construction update Monday, Oct. 13, saying structural stabilization is complete for key areas, interior finishes are moving from the third floor down and the team expects to reach final completion in December.

The update matters because the project renovates a historic building used for core city functions and has required multiple unanticipated repairs. Project manager Elizabeth Hunt of Loredex Sergeant and Codell superintendent Kate Sidwell described recently uncovered historic elements, ongoing waterproofing work at the front elevation and a large remediation of a bay window that will add a small, separate cost.

Hunt told the council the project team has answered 143 contractor questions, reviewed nearly 200 submittals, issued 11 supplemental instructions (non‑cost clarifications) and eight bulletins that carried cost impacts. Sidwell said crews have been increased and weekend work added to meet schedule milestones.

The presenters said change orders approved to date total $441,274.71 and that roughly $333,766.54 remains in the project contingency. Hunt said the contract value shown to the council has not increased beyond the previously reported $12.499 million figure for the project. She said the team has identified one additional wood‑substrate and sheet‑metal repair at a bay window expected to be under $10,000.

Work described in detail included below‑grade waterproofing at the front entrance (excavation down more than 10 feet in places), installation and coating of a new metal cornice and attic vent on the tower, restoration of an original arched window found inside a wall, masonry repointing, third‑floor wood floor refinishing, and installation of a new council chamber space. Sidwell said crews had completed most third‑floor finishes and were phasing into first‑floor and basement work.

Council members pressed for schedule and procurement clarity. The contractor team reported a target substantial completion for upper floors in late November and a target final completion for the first floor and basement around Dec. 12, 2025. Sidwell said window shipments remain the schedule’s primary unknown and that the project is tracking shipments daily.

Councilmember questions also touched on budget details: staff explained a credit of about $42,000 removed asphalt work from the contract, and that remaining contingency will be used to purchase furniture, fixtures and equipment once construction work finishes. Hunt and Sidwell said final site paving will likely require a future change order because regional asphalt pricing increased since the project began; they said that work is expected to fit within the current contingency.

The council did not take formal action on the project at the meeting. City staff and the construction manager said they will return with further schedule and cost updates and that expanded crews could be deployed as needed to meet the December target.

For context: the project is a historic renovation with additional structural stabilization and water‑infiltration repairs that were discovered only after opening existing walls. The contractors emphasized weather and humidity control as a near‑term risk during the coming winter months.