The EBR city-parish has budgeted over $700,000 total for the redesign and renovation of the Metro Council chambers, which are located in City Hall and haven’t been updated since the 1970s, according to Department of Public Works Interim Director Bryan Harmon.
“The chambers are tight, and there are a lot of technology upgrades that are needed,” Harmon says.
The Metro Council will consider approving a contract not to exceed $70,922 with Grace Hebert Architects and sub-consultants for a redesign of the space at its meeting on Wednesday next week.
Harmon says the city-parish wants the media production booth at the entrance of the third-floor chambers moved to the fourth floor gallery that once overlooked the chambers. Harmon says that gallery may or may not be opened up again, and other aesthetic changes to the chambers haven’t yet been decided.
“We’re not sure yet. That’s part of what the architect will be doing,” Harmon says.
Harmon says one of the big changes will be new voting equipment for council members.
“It hasn’t been changed in 20 to 30 years,” Harmon says. “The equipment is old and unreliable.”
Harmon notes in his request for the agenda item that the new technology will also allow members to review additional agenda documents digitally. —Kelly Connelly
