Check Out the Construction on the City Council Chambers

The outdated City Council Chambers are getting a makeover.

A renovation to bring a more modern look to the chambers at City Hall began March 25, and the project is expected to be complete by the end of April, said city spokesman Michael Dunn.

While the room is being renovated, the April 2 City Council workshop and meeting will take place at Lightfoot Recreation Center. The workshop begins at 5 p.m., and you can find the agenda here. The meeting begins at 6 p.m., and you can find the agenda here.

City Hall was built in 1977, but there is no information on whether the council chambers have undergone previous renovations, Dunn said.

Temple Terrace Mayor Frank Chillura called the current renovation a basic package that the city can build upon when it has more money in its budget.

The project calls for removal of the wood paneling on the walls, which will be replaced by paint. The carpet will be replaced, and the ceiling will be raised. The old chairs, which were permanently mounted to the floor, will be removed and replaced with interlocking chairs that can be moved around as needed. There will also be new lighting, new lighting fixtures and a new podium.

“Future phases, if approved, could include audio-visual improvements,” Dunn said.

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At a special meeting March 14, Chillura said renovations to the council chambers are something elected officials have been talking about for 15 years.

“I would suggest it’s time to make something happen,” Chillura told the City Council, “and then you can build on it and move forward.”

“I think this is your front door when people come here,” he added. “This says a lot about the city, and this room is not the most modern-looking out there.”

The project is budgeted not to exceed $35,000, and the money is coming from the Community Investment Tax revenues to be returned to the city from the Tampa Sports Authority.

Council members voted 4-1 March 14 to move forward. Councilman Eddie Vance cast the dissenting vote, saying he thinks there are other items out there that can benefit the masses.