Napa City Council chambers needs a facelift | #citycouncil

I wish I could take credit for the Napa City Council moving forward on using drones for the next Fourth of July Night display…. But I can’t. My little Feb. 3 Architex Angle article about how lasers and drones should replace the traditional Fourth fireworks was simply alerting everyone to the need to change the tradition. The city had been working on this for some time, so it was no surprise when the council voted unanimously for it.

As I noted in the article, some traditions need to be tweaked, not killed. Pyro-fireworks displays are not fit for the 21st century with our fire danger sensitivity and eco-friendly pursuit of non-combustion activities.

There’s another tradition we need to reconsider: The City Council action drew attention to its chamber space that belongs in another century or a third-world country. It is old, dark, uninviting and definitely needs a facelift. The City Hall Building was constructed in 1951 at a cost of $300,000. A new civic center plan died a slow death when the tab approached three quarters of a billion dollars and the pandemic nailed that casket shut. Historic photos show better lighting than the current terrible fluorescent fixtures. Livening up the dungeon-like atmosphere will improve citizen participation and help the multiple boards that meet there to stay awake, at least until a new city hall plan gains momentum.

I asked City Manager Steve Potter and Public Works Director Julie Lucido about the possibility of a minor facelift and while both expressed interest, they both emphasized the need to get a new Police Station going. I also asked a couple of my buddies who are closely following the need for a new City Hall.

John Salmon noted, “I’ve never been a big supporter of putting lipstick on a pig. I have found that doing so only serves to delay implementation of larger solutions that are available and achievable…[today].” So without first establishing a long-term City-County joint vision for the redeployment of all of the publicly owned land downtown, John noted, “I fear that a short-term solution like a redo of the council chambers (unless too expensive) is likely to be met positively by the powers that be.” Chuck Shinnamon also agreed. “I echo John’s thoughts. As we know from all of the prior meetings,……. the Police Department is really the first project that needs to be done.”

Clearly the lighting should be changed. Indirect upturned adjustable LED lighting with a light-colored reflective hung ceiling to hide the duct and electrical work would liven up the room. Light colored wall panels, or even paint, simplifying the cluttered back wall and improved window treatments would transform the room. The attached sketch is only meant to get the conversation going. I am not interested in designing the facility as my plate is currently full. But an interim renovation of the space might make a new City Hall more inviting, rather than kicking the can down the road and doing nothing. A new master plan for a civic center is due but implementation will be years away. In the meantime, we should be ashamed of the poor environment to which we subject our citizens and board members. Anything will be better than meeting in the “Dark Hole of Calcutta.”