On Monday morning, City of Dover Mayor Shane Gunnoe cut the ribbon to celebrate the city’s first new headquarters in nearly 120 years.
Gunnoe says the search for a new City Hall had been ongoing for decades before the First Federal Bank building became available a block away from the old City Hall. Gunnoe points out that building is out-of-date, built when horses were the main form of transportation.
“Today is about much more than opening a new building,” Gunnoe said. “It is about investing in the future of Dover. It is about consolidating employees from multiple locations spread across downtown Dover to one place where our residents can receive the services they deserve in a modern, accessible, efficient, and welcoming environment. [It is about] creating a point of pride in our community for our residents and providing each of our employees with the tools and the workspace they need to continue serving this community with professionalism and dedication.”
The city’s new address is 321 N. Wooster Ave. That’s where residents can go now to pay their utility bills, attend city council meetings and find the mayor, service director, safety director and other officials who had been spread out over four locations.
“By the early 2000s, the city had clearly run out of modern space that is required for police, fire, and administrative staff at our downtown facility,” Gunnoe said.
More than 50 people joined city officials at Monday’s ribbon cutting. The new Dover City Hall made a strong first impression on the guests we talked to.
“Fantastic,” said Bill Harding. “It’s just beautiful and so practical… Middle of downtown Dover – prime location. All the services are here.”
The old city hall will now become part of the police station. The fire department will take over other vacated space.
The city issued $3 million in bonds in 2024 to pay for the building purchase and renovations.