The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved additional historic-preservation work for City Hall and heard an update on repairs at the Hotel Metropolitan during its Oct. 13 meeting, according to the City of Paducah.
The city said commissioners added $14,920 to PFGW Architects’ contract for City Hall stabilization, bringing the contract from $842,500 to $857,420. The added work covers preparation and submission of historic tax credit applications to the Kentucky Heritage Council and continued preservation consultation, according to the city.
The city said the larger project will address deterioration of the porch canopy and support columns, repairs beneath the porch, and water drainage. Plans include replacing the heavy concrete canopy and columns with modern materials designed to resemble the existing structures, along with waterproofing and other porch improvements. Design and bidding are expected to take at least a year, followed by about a year of construction, and City Hall is expected to remain open during the work, the city said.
Hotel Metropolitan Executive Director Dr. MarTeze Hammonds reported that summer work at the historic museum at 724 Oscar Cross Avenue included window repairs, exterior siding, painting and porch stabilization, according to the city. Storage space and a restroom were also added to the Purple Room. The city said it secured a $1.34 million Mellon Foundation grant for the hotel in 2024 and that the city and the Upper Town Heritage Foundation approved a three-year co-stewardship agreement in 2025.
The commission also authorized an application for a $3,000 Kentucky League of Cities liability grant to reimburse expenses for Noble Park Music Garden equipment replacement, playground-safety certifications and motor-vehicle-record monitoring, the city said. Mayor George Bray was unable to attend, according to the announcement.
