 In the wake of a 1902 fire that had destroyed a portion of downtown, the Chases and other local businessmen saw an opportunity for urban renewal.Cass Gilbert won the competition to design a new complex a few blocks from the old city hall building (since demolished) on West Main Street.Unusual for the time, the complex would house not just the mayor and city council but the public safety functions of city government such the police and fire departments, courts and jails.