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You can't fight City Hall? At least you can admire it
By KATHY SAUNDERS © St. Petersburg Times, published January 7, 2001 TREASURE ISLAND -- City Hall employees are putting up with temporary work spaces and a lot of racket this month while a major redecorating project takes place. "But we're staying open for business on all fronts," said City Manager Chuck Coward, who is working out of the former Chamber of Commerce building next door and carrying a cell phone with him to conduct business. This week, crews should be putting the finishing touches on his administrative offices. On Wednesday, the auditorium will close for two weeks while the ceiling is replaced, some carpet is installed, new partitions are hung and the walls are painted. While the auditorium is closed, monitors and electrical equipment will be installed for the future televising of City Commission meetings. The cablecasting could begin as soon as February, Coward said. Because of the auditorium renovations, next week's commission workshop and the next regular meeting will be held at the city's Community Center, at One Park Place, south of downtown. Those meetings are scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 16 and 3:30 p.m. Jan. 23. The most significant renovations took place in Community Improvement, where new work areas were designed and a special counter for the public was installed. The mayor and commissioners have given up their office during the construction so that displaced employees have a place to work. The entire project is expected to cost about $100,000 and be completed by mid March. The city hired Design Team Associates of Tierra Verde to develop the project and come up with the color schemes. City Hall will be painted in shades of sage green, blue and beige. The main walls also will feature a wooden wave as part of the decorations. City commissioners have placed construction of a new City Hall on their long-range master plan. But that project is not expected to be considered for another five to 10 years, Coward said. "It is not our priority right now," said Coward, adding that the current City Hall is between 50 and 60 years old. The City Hall redecorating is part of a more extensive plan that includes upcoming renovations to the police and fire departments, the community center and the former chamber of commerce building. In a report to commissioners this month, Coward listed 16 projects on schedule for this year. The beautification of 107th Avenue along the downtown corridor is expected to be completed by the end of the summer, including the construction of a large tower or landmark in the center of the business district. The downtown roads will be realigned beginning in March to bow out around the landmark. Part of the downtown beautification includes construction of a gazebo for the Gulf Beaches of Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce. Expansion and renovations of the Community Center are scheduled to begin in May and take about seven months. The center will get new entrances, private meeting rooms and a stage area for performances. Sunset Beach residents also will see an overhaul of the storm drainage system in their neighborhood. That work will begin this month and run through July.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
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