Posted 4/18/01
NB City Hall addition to be completed by late May
By Jason Sileo
The North Branch City Hall addition project is in the waning phases and city officials hope the project is complete in time for the city councilís regular meeting in late May.
The addition features all new city council chambers area and an adjacent conference room for city affairs. An integral recording and public address sound system will also be incorporated in the conference room and chambers. Construction on the roughly 3,000 square foot addition began in late September and is expected to cost about $510,000.
Included in the construction are all-new handicap accessible features such as a pair of new rest rooms, an elevator, and easy-access doors and walkways.
The North Branch Police Department receives a new front office and reception area (with bulletproof security window) as well.
ìThis project has been a long time coming,î City Administrator John Moosey said during a brief walk-through of the construction area last week. ìEverything is in compliance with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), which is something weíre really pleased with,î Moosey said, indicating that the building has been designed to ìoffer full service to all people.î
Moosey said a fairly large storage space in the basement of the new facility will also provide the city with a place to expand with additional staff and office space if necessary.
The public address and recording equipment being installed in city council chambers, too, should be an added perk for anyone who routinely attends or is otherwise involved in regular city affairs and who has had trouble hearing the councilís discussion or reports.