Pawtucket City Hall + Mayor’s Office

About This Site

Pawtucket City Hall is one of Rhode Island’s most impressive Art Deco buildings and was the first state project completed under the public works programs of FDR’s New Deal. The building represents an early example of the centralization of all city department headquarters into one building, which was a novel idea at the time. This change in city governance can be attributed to Pawtucket mayor Thomas P. McCoy, who led the effort to construct the new city hall building.

Designed by Providence architect John O’Malley, Pawtucket City Hall is bedecked in Art Deco details found everywhere from the elegant curvature of the stairs to the dramatic up-lighting of the lobby’s sconces. Construction was completed in March of 1935. At the center of the building is a 209-foot high tower capped with a tomahawk weathervane. Although the original tower-top ornamentation included cast-stone eagles, the birds’ gradual deterioration resulted in their removal during repairs and restorations in 2005. Across the front of the building are bas relief panels that showcase people, places, and moments from Pawtucket’s history. Set in the center of the marble lobby’s mosaic floor is a bronze copy of the city seal.

Behind The Scenes

Mayor Grebien personally invites you to join him in his office for an inside look at city government. What questions do you have for the Mayor? While you’re in the building, you might as well peek inside the Counsel Chambers to see where Pawtucket’s laws are made.