The current building opened its doors on December 13, 1930. It was only the second municipal building in Ely and with only one remodel done in 2014 - 2015, the building still functions well as the home of Ely's city government, fire hall, and police station.
Rochester City Hall is situated on the corner of the intersection of First Avenue Southwest and Third Street Southwest. City Hall was built in 1884 and was razed in 1931 to make room for a new city hall. To the right is the Electric Light Plant, built in 1894 and burned in 1915.
The New Brighton Town Hall was built in 1898. Although planned as early as 1891, it took seven years to finish the project. It held the police department, government offices, and social events which were held in the upstairs auditorium. It was razed in the mid-1950s.
The view of the New Brighton Town Hall contrasts in size with the small shoemaker shop to its south. To the north is the Treat Building and a portion of the Marston Block. On the top of the hall was a flag pole which was on top of the large bell steeple on the left of the building. The bell was rung whenever there was a a fire. The fire engine was housed on the main floor of the building. The bell would also ring at nine o'clock when all the children had to be off the street.