Because of several factors including the building's listings on historic registers, a lawsuit filed by a subcontractor, and unforeseen structural problems, the final cost and duration of the renovation far exceeded original estimates.

Air conditioning was added to the building, necessitating drop ceilings to make room for the ducts, which obscured the original plaster moulding in the interior.

Wood panelling was added to create more offices out of the large chambers present in the original design, and mahogany windows were replaced with aluminum ones.

Scagliola columns were painted blue, wood and marble floors were covered with linoleum, and the grand staircase was replaced with an elevator.

[8] Thirty-two of the decorative column capitals were replaced, and a new parapet cap and flashing system was designed for the roof.

[6] By January 2011, the building's scagliola columns had been restored, the decorative glazing on the floors had been finished, and progress was being made on the installation of the elevators.

Exterior landscaping was farther behind, partially because it was not part of the original plan laid out by former mayor John Robert Smith.

One reason for the increase was unforeseen necessary repairs, such as iron supports that had rusted to less than half their original size and a damaged drainage system.

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) required that anything salvageable from the original building must be repaired and reused rather than replaced.

[9] For Phase IV, the city received a block grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act totaling $182,400 for the installation of energy efficient equipment in the building.

[13] The unforeseen structural problems and the strictness of MDAH not only increased the cost of the project, but they also continued to push back the estimated date of completion.

[19] Another hiccup in the renovation process was a lawsuit filed by EverGreene Architectural Arts, one of the project's subcontractors, against Panola Construction, the general contractor, and B.B.

"[12] Evergreene, who was in charge of producing a decorative plaster for the building's interior, was later fired, causing further delays as the contractor searched for a replacement.

[23][24] The open house included guest speakers such as former mayor Jimmy Kemp, state commissioner Dick Hall, and several members of the design team.

[14] Attendees were given a historical tour of the building, and a reception was held in the third floor ballroom with music, art, and refreshments.

[6] All vinyl and plastic were removed from the interior and replaced with historic materials like wood, marble, plaster, and glass.

A set of fire stairs on all three floors was added, and the elevator was moved to a different location to make way for a restored grand staircase of marble.

The auditorium was rebuilt, though smaller in size than the original, and serves as a public space available to be rented for receptions and as the city council chambers.