Bainbridge City Manager Chris Hobby told the Bainbridge Lions Club on Wednesday that the $3.8-million city hall renovation project is tentatively scheduled to begin in late January.

“Childers Construction Company in Tallahassee, Fla. which is doing the renovation project, tells us it will last about 12 months, but I have blocked off 18 months in case there are any delays,” Hobby said.

The city manager, using a series of slides to emphasize his points,  opened his remarks to the Lions by talking about the origins of the city hall renovation project.

“In city hall, which is an old bank building, we don’t have nearly enough storage space,” he said. “We own the Kwilecki building next door, which will also be part of the renovation project. Some of its foundation is sinking. The entire second floor of the Kwilecki building will be used for future expansion.”

Hobby also pointed out that the current city hall does not completely comply with handicapped-accessibility laws.

“Right now, if a citizen in a wheel chair needs to come to my office and discuss something with me, the door is not wide enough for them to get in,” Hobby said. “I have to arrange to meet them in another place, which I am happy to do.”