City updating public spaces

Council chambers undergoing renovations in August during recess with technology changes planned to maximize voter engagement

“It just needs freshened up. It needed some new carpet, some new chairs, new counter tops.”

— Amherst Mayor Mark Costilow

During the August recess, Amherst Council Chambers are undergoing renovations to be completed by the first September meeting.

Mayor Mark Costilow said construction started July 23 and mainly consists of technological updates and the addition of a handicap accessibility ramp to the Chamber’s dais, known as the raised platform and countertop Council sits behind.

“It just needs freshened up,” Costilow said. “It needed some new carpet, some new chairs, new counter tops.

“A lot of Council people, when they sit down, straddle a leg on the counter top. So, we’re working on making it more comfortable to sit behind the dais.”

Technology updates in the Chambers include new microphones, cameras and a video screen.

A new built-in podium also will be more data friendly with data imports for projectors, microphones and computer, Costilow said.

Although construction should be completed by September, some of these technological updates won’t be fully functional or installed by then, he said.

“Some of the technology upgrades won’t be complete yet,” Costilow said. “The contractor had some delays to getting in and doing their work.”

Additionally, new ceiling tiles and carpet designs and colors were chosen carefully to come across in recorded videos better.

Costilow said the city received some feedback on the old carpet looking pixelated in some cases over video.

“We’ve tried to be real cognizant about the patterns and the colors to make sure they’ll go well with most clothes that people wear and it’ll be pleasing on camera,” he said. “We were real careful not to pick a carpet with a real crazy pattern.”

Although in recess, special meetings will take place for the Utilities Committee at 6:50 p.m., Aug. 5, and regular Council meetings at 7:10 p.m., Aug. 5, and 7 p.m., Aug. 12, at Main Street Amherst, 255 Park Ave. in Amherst.

Video will be recorded

“Some of the technology upgrades won’t be complete yet. The contractor had some delays to getting in and doing their work.”

— Mayor Mark Costilow

and uploaded on the city’s website, but will not be livestreamed due to the ongoing technological updates, the mayor said.

THE MORNING JOURNAL FILE This historical marker is in front of the town hall in Amherst.