New Bedford’s 120-Year-Old City Hall Elevator Set for Major Upgrade

If you are 60 years old, the New Bedford City Hall elevator is twice your age and may outlive you. The iconic semi-circular Otis elevator has been in continuous operation since being installed in 1906.

It's time for an upgrade.

The last upgrade was in 2022. This one will be a bit more involved.

A Historic Elevator Still in Use Since 1906

In 1906, what is now the New Bedford Free Public Library, on Pleasant Street, was the New Bedford City Hall. What we know as City Hall today on William Street was then the library.

How City Hall and the Library Switched Places

In 1906, fire damaged the then City Hall, and the government relocated to its present location. The library shifted to Pleasant Street. The current City Hall opened for business in 1912.

READ MORE: New Bedford City Hall Was Once the Public Library

The elevator, one of the oldest working elevators in the country, if not the oldest, needs some work that could take several months.

Why the New Bedford City Hall Elevator Needs Major Repairs

"The City's Department of Facilities and Fleet Management (DFFM) got an engineering study done," said Public Information Officer Jonathan Darling. "The study found that the mechanical system – now more than 100 years old – is outdated and no longer meets current standards or reliability expectations."

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"While the elevator has been maintained, many components have exceeded their useful life and are increasingly difficult to repair or replace," Darling said.

Because replacement parts for key components are no longer available, "comprehensive modernization is the most effective way" to deal with the situation, Darling said.

What Will Change — and What Will Stay the Same

"The project will focus on upgrading critical systems while retaining the elevator's existing manual operation and historic character," he said. "The elevator will continue to require an attendant and will not include automatic doors."

How Repairs Will Impact Public Access

New Bedford City Council meetings will be held at the library while City Hall's only elevator is under repair.

"We will have to relocate Council meetings for a time so that all members of the public can exercise their rights to view public meetings," Council President Ryan Pereira said. "Without an operational elevator, we risk violating ADA laws and also have to be mindful of elderly individuals who may rely on an elevator."

As for other City Hall business, Darling said that while the elevator is under repair, City Hall visitors will be able to access services on the first floor that are usually available on the second and third floors.