About $5 million in renovations began today inside the historic Gallier Hall on St. Charles Avenue.

Mayor Mitch Landrieu and members of the New Orleans Tricentennial Committee held a news conference outside of the historic building to announce the start of the project.

A piece of the exterior fell in in summer 2014, damaging the granite stairs. After that, preservationists did a full forensic analysis of the building.

Exterior renovations, expected to cost about $10 million, began in 2014. Interior renovations began today.

Inside consists of 12 ball rooms and a theater. It is one of the oldest government buildings in New Orleans, serving as city hall until 1957.

It contains 41 works of art that The Helis Foundation has committed $145,000 to restoring.

They plan to finish all 41 paintings and frames by fall 2017.

Watch the complete segment on WGNO-TV.