By early next year, Midland City Hall will be an improved and safer space for both residents and staff as the final phase of renovations is completed.
Plans to renovate arose in recent years after the building’s design had gone largely unchanged since its construction in the late 1980s, creating security concerns.
City Manager Brad Kaye described the layout as “open,” meaning anyone who enters the lobby can easily see entire departments and their staff while they’re working.
“The basic premise of Phase I and II is safety in the building itself,” Kaye said. “Before we started this, it was wide open and there were no measures for safety either for the public or staff.”
Renovations to the building, located at 333 W. Ellsworth St., began last year with new carpeting and paint, as well as the addition of barriers and other security measures for the Human Resources Department and other staff offices.
Those renovations continued with Phase II beginning this fall and are expected to be completed in February 2024.
The first part of Phase II will involve making the same security and barrier updates, as well as adding new carpet and paint, to the rest of the building. Secure entryways from public spaces into office areas will be installed, meaning those entering will need a code or a staff member escort. Secure counters and glass will replace the current counters and plexiglass.
Phase II will also add accessible restrooms to the building and new conference rooms. This work is expected to be completed by the end of December.
In January 2024, renovations to Council Chambers will begin and continue into February. These improvements will include updating the sound system, expanding the council desk and shifting it to be more centralized.
City Manager Brad Kaye explained that the existing desk isn’t long enough to accommodate all of the boards and commissions that use it, such as the Downtown Development Authority which has 12 members. He also said the desk will be shifted to face the audience, as it is currently situated facing a corner of the room.
Monitors will be installed into the council desk and new large monitors will be placed behind the desk and on the opposite wall. Kaye explained that this will allow council members to see presentations on the desk in front of them instead of needing to turn around and look at the screen directly behind them.
During the renovation of Council Chambers, City Council, boards and commissions will need to meet elsewhere. Kaye said the City is working with Midland County to potentially utilize the Board of Commissioners meeting room, located at 220 W. Ellsworth St. – directly next to City Hall.
“That would give us the opportunity to continue to tape the meetings, so we will still have broadcasts available,” Kaye said. “We were really happy that one worked out, because if people come to (City Hall) expecting the meeting to be here, it’s a short walk across the lobby over to the County Building.”
Other Phase II items include the creation of a new Assessing Office on the second floor, increased security measures for the treasurer’s vault that will ensure only the treasury department can access it, and a new storage facility for the clerk to more securely store election materials.
Phase II will complete the City Hall renovations project. In the future, Kaye said there is exterior work that could be done, including redoing the parking lot.
In total with the two phases, as well as upgrades to the HVAC and lighting systems, Assistant City Manager Carol Stone said the renovation cost $2.5 million.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Kaye said. “There has been some really strong community support, particularly the Herbert and Grace A. Dow Foundation, that is enabling us to do this.”
