Wold Architects & Engineers, a local architectural and engineering firm with extensive government design expertise, recently completed a major addition and renovation to the historic Erie Town Hall, marking a significant milestone in the town’s long-range planning efforts and continued investment in public service.
Faced with an increasing population and inadequate space to support operations, the Town of Erie engaged Wold in 2019 to complete a comprehensive, town-wide Facility Strategic Plan. The plan evaluated long-term operational, departmental and infrastructure needs through 2050. In 2022, Wold was re-engaged to design the first major project identified in the Plan: the expansion and renovation of the Town Hall. The project addresses longstanding space constraints that previously required staff to be dispersed across multiple locations.
Construction was completed in collaboration with Fransen Pittman Construction, along with project partners JVA Consulting Engineers, Martin/Martin Consulting Engineers, BCER Engineering and SWAP Integration.
The renovated and expanded Erie Town Hall combines a 20,000-square-foot historic building with a 19,000-square-foot addition, consolidating public services into a welcoming, accessible civic hub. Designed to improve resident navigation, staff efficiency and energy performance, the facility enhances access to key services, including Planning & Building, Utilities and Municipal Court, while providing long-term flexibility to support continued community growth.
“As a local firm, we’re grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the Town of Erie once again and are proud to play a vital role in this newly renovated and expanded historic Town Hall,” said Aimee LaLone, government practice leader at Wold Architects and Engineers. “The improved integrated and functional public space will allow for enhanced accessibility and ease for staff to better serve Erie residents.”
Originally constructed in 1906 and remodeled multiple times over the decades, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and required a thoughtful, preservation-forward design approach. Wold worked closely with town leadership to ensure the new addition remains sensitive to the original structure, balancing historic integrity with modern functionality. This commitment extended to material selection, with stone for the new addition mined from the same quarry used for the original 1906 building, creating a seamless visual and historical connection between old and new. In homage to the building’s former use as the Lincoln School through the mid-1960s, the town will also be installing new windows in the bell tower later this year, to display the original school bell as a visible reminder of the building’s layered history.
Community identity and civic ownership were central to the project’s vision. Artwork donated by residents and mosaic tiles created during a community beautification event are displayed throughout the building, reinforcing the Town Hall as a shared space that belongs to the people it serves.
“Town Hall has long been a symbol of our community’s history, and preserving its character while preparing it for the future was a top priority,” said Chad Alexander, facilities manager for the Town of Erie. “This expansion allows us to protect what makes this building special while creating a more welcoming, functional space for residents. We’re excited to see years of planning come to life and to open the doors to a Town Hall that truly reflects and serves our community, today and for generations to come.”
The renovated and expanded Town Hall now stands as a welcoming civic anchor, supporting improved service delivery, celebrating Erie’s past and positioning the Town to meet the needs of its growing community well into the future.
To learn more about the Town of Erie, please visit www.erieco.gov.
