Changes to the interior of the Peter J. McCarren Memorial
Chamber are quite visible. Scaffolding has been put in place
to complete the painting, rows of audience seating have been
removed and will be replaced shortly and an opening was cut
into therailing that surrounds the Council desks.
Visitors to the Peter J. McCarren Memorial Chamber for Monday night’s Joint Convention had to have noticed the progress that is being made on the renovations that will prepare the Chamber to serve the new City Council, beginning on January 6, 2014.
Several rows of the theater style seats that had served as the audience/gallery for Council and Board of Aldermen meetings for decades have been removed, with the remainder slated for removal following next week’s Board of Aldermen meeting on Monday, December 23, 2013.
In addition, the walls are being painted a dark brown and the barrier railing that had surrounded the Council/Aldermanic desks for decades, now includes an opening that will allow visitors and guests to have clearer access to the city’s legislative body.
Of course, many other renovations, including new furniture, seating for the audience, window treatments and carpeting for the entire chamber have not yet begun and city workers will have a short window in which to complete the renovations, following next week’s Aldermen’s meeting and prior to the first meeting of the new Council.
City Clerk Michael Matarazzo has assured city officials that the room will be ready when the new government takes power in January.
In the meantime, next week’s Aldermen’s meeting will mark the final official meeting of the city’s bi-cameral form of government.