Moving day finally is here for the city of Hinesville.

Several departments today already have begun filling the new 48,000-square-foot city hall with furniture, boxes and people. The city broke ground on the brick and white balustrade edifice in June 2010 after demolishing the old city hall building. 

Choate Construction Company, headquartered in Pooler, built Hinesville’s new landmark. James W. Buckley & Associates Inc. designed the new city hall.

“This move entails the relocation of 10 departments and approximately 50 employees,” Hinesville Public Relations Manager Krystal Britton wrote in a news release. “All departments are responsible for packing their belongings and labeling furniture for the move to the new facility. The city is using the services of a moving company to take the furniture and boxes to the new city hall.

Friday’s move will begin with human resources, finance and community development departments. The inspections and water departments will move Saturday, July 23, and all other departments will move into the new building the following Monday and Tuesday (July 25-26).”

The city’s Homeless Prevention Program, formerly housed on Fraser Drive, also will move into the new city hall, according to Britton.

Hinesville City Manager Billy Edwards expects this move to cost the city about $4,000, roughly the same hourly rate paid last year when the city moved from the former city hall to its interim city hall on the second floor of the Hinesville Police Department.

The cost for the construction project, including demolition of the old city hall building, renovation of the existing police department and installation of a new parking lot, was “just over $7 million,” according to Edwards.

“SPLOST will fund $4 million of both the new city hall and the public works facilities construction,” he said.

Edwards added that the city is buying some new furniture, but most of the existing furniture will go with city workers to the new city hall.

City officials believe the new city hall aesthetically will enhance the downtown area and improve efficiency of service to residents, according to Britton.

“The new city hall is just one of the many projects planned to better serve residents,” Hinesville Mayor Jim Thomas said. “We hope residents take the time to visit the new building and use it to their full advantage.”

“I think everyone will agree that it is a very attractive building that will centralize all city offices and make us more accessible,” Edwards said.

“Residents will be able to tour the new facility with local leaders and view all its amenities at the official grand opening from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 20,” Britton said.

The grand opening also will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, door prize giveaway and refreshments. Residents can RSVP for the tour through the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce or on www.facebook.com/HinesvilleGA.