The City of Greeley is preparing to bid farewell to its iconic City Hall, located at 1000 10th St., as it gears up for demolition. The building, known for its distinctive round shape, will be dismantled to facilitate the Downtown Civic Campus Project. Commemorative events will take place on February 20 and 21, 2026, inviting the community to celebrate the building’s history.
On February 20, from 10 a.m. to noon, Greeley will host a public event featuring light refreshments. Attendees will receive a commemorative coin while supplies last, marking this significant moment in the city’s timeline. The event is free and does not require reservations. The following day, a smaller, informal open house will take place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., providing former employees an opportunity to revisit the building before it closes permanently.
City Hall first opened its doors in 1968 as the United Bank of Greeley, thanks to bank president Norman Dean, who commissioned Colorado architect Marvin Knedler for its design. The construction was carried out by Hensel Phelps Construction Company. The building quickly became known for its innovative features, including six television drive-up windows and custom-designed furniture to fit its unique circular layout.
Greeley Communications Specialist Aimee Freeland, who has worked at City Hall for over 21 years, noted that the building’s design fosters community interaction. “There’s something to be said about being in a round building. You get to know people because there are no hallways or corners,” Freeland explained. This atmosphere has made the building feel like a second home to many staff members, with former employees continuing to visit their old workplace.
In 1987, the city purchased the building for $1.57 million, equivalent to approximately $2.83 million today when adjusted for inflation. The circular structure has nurtured a sense of camaraderie among city employees, with Freeland recalling, “When Norman Dean built it, one of his goals was that he wanted people to be able to come in and feel warm and feel welcome.”
The basement of City Hall also holds historical significance, having served as the meeting place for the Greeley City Council. Recently, it functioned as a hub for the city’s special election, where votes were counted for local initiatives.
The city anticipates around 150 attendees at the farewell events, which will include a ceremonial flag removal, interactive memory boards, and speeches from Mayor Dale Hall and Annette Jaehn, Director of Historic Greeley Inc. Jaehn had previously advocated for the building to receive historical designation, an effort that ultimately did not succeed.
As the events unfold, Greeley City Hall will officially close its doors to the public on February 24, with in-person services relocating to 1200 11th Ave. starting February 27. City services, including utility billing assistance, will continue at the new location.
According to Betsy Kellums, the City Historic Preservation Planner, “City Hall is more than just the round building on 10th Street; it’s a beacon of history.” She emphasized that this celebration serves to honor the building’s rich past while looking forward to future growth and community engagement.
Efforts to preserve the structure failed in December when the Greeley City Council declined to grant it historical status. Officials stated that the building must be demolished to facilitate land exchanges with Weld County as part of the Downtown Civic Campus project. The estimated costs for asbestos removal and replacing the original HVAC system reached $33 million, prompting the decision to proceed with demolition.
Once the site is cleared, it will be transformed into a temporary parking lot for up to 200 vehicles. As Greeley prepares for this transition, the farewell events offer a chance for the community to reflect on the legacy of a building that has been central to the city’s public service for nearly six decades.
