GENEVA, Ala. — After more than 50 years in its old building, Geneva’s city hall has officially moved to a new, state-of-the-art facility. The transition to the $3 million city hall marks the culmination of over three and a half years of planning and development aimed at improving city services and modernizing the local government’s infrastructure.
Geneva Mayor David Hayes expressed his satisfaction with the new facility, noting the improvements it brings to both city employees and the community. “We’re still going through boxes and things, but government is working so much better now. The new facility has truly enhanced our operations, and it’s a fantastic addition to downtown,” Hayes remarked. The mayor emphasized that the move was driven by necessity rather than luxury, highlighting the cramped conditions of the old city hall, which had been in use for decades.
“The old building was simply too small for the city’s growing needs,” Hayes explained. “We had records piled up everywhere, and the space limitations severely hampered our ability to process business licenses and run our court system efficiently. It was clear we had outgrown it long ago.”
The new city hall is designed with greater functionality in mind. It features a modern courtroom capable of handling the backlog of cases that have accumulated due to the pandemic. Additionally, the building includes a mezzanine floor to protect records from potential water damage, a recurring issue in the old building due to flooding. More office space and a multi-use conference room have also been added, the latter already fostering greater community engagement in just a few weeks since the move.
“We’re glad we can host events and bring people into Geneva’s downtown area,” said Hayes, acknowledging the increased visibility of the city as a result of the new space. “It’s an opportunity for people to see what we have to offer here.”
The former city hall building is being repurposed as the new home of the Geneva Police Department. Renovations are underway, with the city planning to allocate approximately $100,000 for upgrades. The police department, which has long needed new facilities, will benefit from additional locker rooms, private interview spaces, and shower facilities—improvements that will help the department better serve the community.
Downtown Geneva is also seeing other improvements, including the expansion of the city park. Recently, the city accepted a $1.5 million bid from an Andalusia contractor to begin Phase 2 of the park’s development. Plans include the addition of two playgrounds, a gazebo, five pavilions, dual restrooms, and an amphitheater. The expanded park is expected to draw even more visitors to the area, further revitalizing the downtown district.
“This park expansion is going to be a great addition to downtown,” Mayor Hayes said. “Businesses will see the benefits, and last year, we recorded about 4,000 visitors from out of state. We’re excited to continue this growth.”
With the new city hall, police department renovations, and the park expansion, Geneva is well on its way to becoming a more vibrant, functional, and attractive destination for both residents and visitors alike.
