A historic landmark in Mount Rainier has entered its next chapter. On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Mayor Celina Benitez led a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the newly renovated Potts Hall Welcome Center.

Originally constructed in 1909, Potts Hall has served as a cornerstone of civic life in Mount Rainier for more than a century. The recent renovation, overseen by City Manager Kourosh Kamali, honors this rich legacy while transforming the building into a modern and welcoming gateway for the community. Construction began in March 2023 and was completed in December 2025.

During the ceremony, Mayor Benitez recognized the years of vision, dedication, and collaboration required to complete the project. She highlighted the collective efforts of past and present elected officials, city administration, and project partners.

The event was attended by numerous distinguished guests, including State Delegates Diana Fennell and Julian Ivey; former Mount Rainier Mayors Malinda Miles and Bryan Knedler; current City Council members Valerie Woodall, Danielle Carter, Jenny Hoffpauir, and Joseph Jakuta; and City Attorney Elisa Levan. Former Council members Jimmy Tarlau, Jarrett Stoltzfus, and Shivali Shah were also present, along with Tracy Hadden Loh, Principal Director of the WMATA Board of Directors, project architects Howard Goldstein and Jill Schick, and representatives from Greenwill Consulting Group. Community members and city staff also joined the celebration. 

Following the ceremony, attendees toured the newly renovated Potts Hall and City Hall, seeing firsthand how the historic space has been thoughtfully restored to support modern civic engagement while remaining deeply rooted in Mount Rainier’s history. The completed Potts Hall Welcome Center features a new double-height lobby that connects the landmark building to the existing City Hall, creating a unified and accessible civic complex. The project also includes a state-of-the-art Council Chamber and enhanced public access to local government.