Georgetown celebrates grand opening of Clarence C. Smalls City Hall

Much-needed rain didn’t dampen the spirits of more than 100 people who gathered this morning for the official grand opening of the Clarence C. Smalls City Hall. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place before a standing-room-only crowd in the new Council Chambers.

The event drew elected officials, community leaders and city residents to celebrate the opening of a new city headquarters 10 years in the making. City Administrator Scott Whittier opened the ceremony by calling it the start of a new chapter in Georgetown’s story. He welcomed the elected officials in attendance, including Sen. Ronnie Saab, Rep. Carl Anderson, Sheriff Carter Weaver, former mayors Lynn Wood Wilson, Brendan Barber and Carol Jayroe, Mayor Jay Doyle and members of City Council.

Police Chaplain the Rev. Dr. Lorenzo Smalls delivered the invocation, followed by local businessman Kevin Jayroe, who sang the national anthem. Mayor Jay Doyle then reminded the audience that Georgetown would be defined not by its buildings, but by its people.

“We have a shared commitment for progress and must continue to build a city where all will be proud to call it home,” Mayor Doyle said in his brief remarks.

The most poignant remarks came from former City Administrator Dr. Sandra Yudice, who retired in 2023 and was widely credited with helping the city move forward after sinkholes forced it to abandon the previous city hall and search for a new location. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the former Liberty Steel headquarters became available and offered a solution for a city government whose staff had been scattered among several leased properties throughout the community.

“This new city hall exemplifies a commitment to excellence in the delivery of services to the citizens it serves,” Yudice said. “It’s welcoming, accessible and ready to meet the needs of all the citizens of the city. City Hall belongs to the people, and it is a wonderful testament to its namesake, Clarence C. Smalls who served Georgetown for almost 30 years.”

Yudice presented Smalls with a plaque before the final ribbon-cutting. Citizens and dignitaries then shared refreshments and conversation as they celebrated the culmination of a 10-year effort to establish a new city headquarters.

(L-r) Councilman Hobson Milton, City engineer Orlando Arteaga, Clarence Smalls, Dep. City Administrator Elizabeth Tucker, Mayor Jay Doyle, Councilwoman Erin Etheridge, Dr. Sandra Yudice, and Scott Whittier.