Scranton Mayor Shining a New Light

on the Electric City

City Hall Tower Beaming Green in Honor of Parade Day and the City’s Irish Heritage

 PRESS RELEASE: MARCH 8, 2025

SCRANTON, PA – Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti unveiled a special surprise in honor of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Green lights are now beaming at City Hall from the gothic wheel windows atop the building’s bell tower.

This is the first time the tower lights have been lit in decades, marking a key phase in the $4.7 million restoration project aimed at preserving the 137-year-old historical landmark.

The glowing green lighting will continue to beam from the tower through St. Patrick’s Day.

One of the most extensive exterior renovation projects in decades, additional work on the historic 1888 Municipal Building includes roof, tower, window, masonry and other restoration aspects.

A victim of age, long-standing neglect and piecemeal repairs over decades, City Hall’s last major renovation happened in 1980, the year before it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2019 and under a prior administration, city leaders considered selling the downtown landmark , rather than tackle the extensive repairs.

Mayor Cognetti, who is focused on "preserving the city's past while celebrating our future," instead prioritized the renovation of the historic building, ensuring its architectural preservation while also incorporating modern elements to make it a vibrant, relevant part of the city's ongoing development and community life. 

“Aesthetically and economically, it’s important that we preserve the city’s legacy landmarks for generations to come,” Mayor Cognetti said. “Historic preservation spurs tourism, attracts investment, enhances local economies, and creates jobs for skilled contractors and laborers, alike. We were incredibly excited to shine the light for the first time on the eve of Parade Day.”

The City Hall renovation project, funded by the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) and a portion of the City’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, is expected to be finished this spring.

About the Building: Scranton City Hall, located at Washington and Mulberry streets in the city’s downtown, is a three-story limestone ashlar Victorian Gothic Revival building with sandstone trim, designed by architects Edwin L. Walter and Frederick Lord Brown and built in 1888. It is one of the City’s more beautiful landmarks and a shining example of the Electric City’s architectural heritage.