/ Modified jan 17, 2017 7:18 a.m.

Old Pima Courthouse Getting Original Shade of Paint

Iconic tile dome retained, original color restored as part of preservation project.

The iconic, historic, old Pima County Courthouse will look a little less pink in the coming months.

The building is being repainted with its original color, which was first applied in 1929. Over the years, it slowly changed to the existing pink color through decades of sun bleaching and repainting, said Linda Mayro, the director of the county's office of sustainability and conservation.

When the work on the outside of the building began, it was obvious the building changed colors over the years, she said.

"We are assuming every time they repainted it, they said match the existing. Well, it was slightly pinker every time because of the sun fading it and the weather effects," Mayro said.

The county had a chip of the original painted plaster matched, and painting is underway. It's a slightly more earth-tone tan, rather than the more unusual muted pink.

“It will be a change, visually, but it is actually our intention to restore the building to its 1929 appearance," she said.

The project includes expanding the Dillinger Courtroom to its original size, repairing water damage and broken tiles on the colorful dome.

The outside renovations, including the paint, are scheduled to be finished in April or May. The project is distinct from the Jan. 8th Memorial to be constructed on the west side of the building in the coming years.

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