When City Hall opens back up to the public, it will have a very different appearance. The building is currently being renovated to make better use of its space and make it safer for employees.
The building has been closed for several months due to the coronavirus, but City Hall, including the water department, has been operating all along. City residents have been able to conduct business through the drive-thru, over the telephone or online.
The Board of Aldermen earlier this year approved the remodeling of the water department at one of its meetings. The work has begun and City Clerk Maria Temples said they are hoping it will be completed by the first of the year. Some of the materials needed are on backorder, she said.
Included in the renovations will be a new entrance to pay one’s water bill. Customers will enter the new area, and there will be a counter, including a handicapped accessible counter. In the new area, customers will not have access to the other side of the counter. The top of the counter will have sneeze guards to protect both the employees and customers.
The area behind the counter will be a separate room with desks for the employees of the water department. Access to the drive-thru will also be in this area. The drive-thru will also get renovated to allow for more room, and instead of using suction and a canister to go back and forth with payments, a drawer similar to what banks used in their drive-thrus will be used.
A third room is being added to allow for a payroll office that has the necessary room for storage.
Mayor Justin McKenzie was very excited about the work on Monday.
“It will provide a much safer environment for our employees,” he said.
McKenzie said the way the water department area was set up before allowed for a lot of wasted space. This way it is making better use of the area and allows for more room for expansion if needed.
Also in the renovations, Building Inspector Carrie Thornhill’s office was moved to where Temple’s office was situated. Temple’s office has been moved closer to the mayor’s office.
Temple said she believes the front door will still be there by the boardroom but is unsure how the main area is going to look until after the renovations are completed.
The project was budgeted this year in the water department and previously approved.
