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Featured Project: DeLand City Hall

The city of DeLand dedicated its new City Hall and Municipal Complex earlier this month as part of a daylong celebration of the city’s 125th anniversary of its incorporation in 1882. 

Designed by CTH+A, the new complex was constructed on the site of the previous city hall and houses all of the city’s administrative functions including City Commission chambers.  The entire municipal complex includes the following:

1. a new 48,000-square-foot City Hall
2. a new 7,300-square-foot fire station
3. a 2,500-square-foot police evidence building
4. a 2,000-square-foot fire station addition
5. a 20,000-square-foot Civic Plaza with a Veteran’s Memorial

Special consideration was given to the great pride that DeLand’s leadership and citizens have for the city’s historical character and downtown charm.  Speaking at the March 10 dedication ceremony, C.T. Hsu said, “Our firm is very proud to have designed your new City Hall.  The goal was to create an attractive and functional building that complimented the existing architecture of downtown DeLand, and I believe you’ll agree we accomplished that.” 

Hsu also recognized the Citizens  Building Committee, City Manager Michael Abels, Assistant City Manager Michael Pleus and Public Services Director Keith Riger for their superb guidance and oversight on the project.  “Our firm has worked with many municipal teams over the years, and you are among the best there is,” he remarked.

The design of DeLand’s City Hall and Municipal Complex took on added significance when the firm learned about the generosity of the city’s forefathers to Lue Gim Gong, a renowned horticulturist and one of Central Florida’s earliest Chinese American pioneers.  Lue is known as “The Citrus Wizard” for his contributions to the orange-growing industry in Florida.

In 1888, Lue cross-pollinated two orange varieties to produce the “Lue Gim Gong” orange, a fruit that was both sweet and frost-tolerant.  The variety is still grown in Florida today and more commonly known as the Valencia orange.

A gazebo containing the bust of Lue Gim Gong was erected at the DeLand House to honor Lue and information about his life is featured on the web site of the West Volusia Historical Society.  “As a fellow Chinese American, I am honored that our firm – through its design of your new City Hall – joins Lue Gim Gong as part of DeLand’s lasting legacy,” Hsu concluded

C.T. Hsu + Associates, P.A.
820 Irma Avenue • Orlando, FL 32803 • 407 423 0098 • Fax 407 423 4793
CTHSU.com

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