City Plans to Renovate Council Chamber
“I think it is about time we put a step towards making our chamber as nice as we have a lot of other buildings we’ve got in Grand Prairie,” said Deputy City Manager Tom Cox Tuesday at the City Council Briefing Session.
Citing the recent construction of The Summit, the Public Safety Building, Fire Station #7 and Lake Park Operations Center, Cox pointed out the City Council is meeting in a chamber that is forty years-old. He continued the chamber’s current lighting is inadequate for good television coverage, audio/video equipment outdated and council member voting machines often do not operate.
Komatsu Architecture showed council members some conceptual drawings of a new conservative design for the chamber that would have a pleasing appearance and be very functional for council members, staff and the audience.
The entire chamber would be renovated with new:
Acoustic wall coveringCouncilman Jim Swafford said preliminary estimates put the renovation cost at $2.3 million. He said the cost would be covered by the $2 million refunded to the city from the YMCA due to a billing error with the after school program. The remainder of the cost would come out of the $4 million due the city from the Sports Facilities Development Corporation.
Llighting
TV monitors
Audio/video equipment
The slope of the audience floor altered to meet the requirements of the American with Disability Act (ADA).
The proposal is expected to be on the September 6 council agenda. If approved, construction could begin as soon as December with completion in 4-5 months.
