FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 27, 2016
MEDIA CONTACTS
Gwen Schuler, Media and Communications, gschuler@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5152
Stacy Ellifritt, Media and Communications, stacy.ellifritt@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2005
Improvements to City Council Chambers Almost Complete
--City Council Meetings Moving Back to Tacoma Municipal Building on Oct. 4--
The City Council Chambers Improvement Project is in the final stages of the construction timeline. The first City Council meeting held in the renovated chambers at the Tacoma Municipal Building (747 Market St., 1st Floor) will be on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at 5 p.m. City Council meetings will continue to be held at the Tacoma Public Utilities Auditorium (3628 S. 35th St.) through the end of September.
“The improvements to the City Council Chambers are a long time coming,” said Mayor Marilyn Strickland. “Now that the chambers have been updated to have more aesthetic appeal and the audio visual updates are in line with modern technology, this space will enhance the community engagement experience.”
This is the first complete update of the chambers in almost 40 years. Aesthetic enhancements include new carpeting, reupholstered chairs, updated wall finishes, a resurfaced dais and updated podium. Audio visual updates include an improved microphone and speaker system and upgraded cameras.
“These Council Chambers improvements are part of a continued effort to promote engagement between citizens and their City government,” said City Manager T.C. Broadnax. “The upgrades will enhance the viewing experience for those that attend a meeting in person or watch at home on TV Tacoma.”
The chambers serve as the main meeting facility for the public to engage with Council as they conduct official City business. These upgrades will also serve to provide for a secondary use of the room as meeting space for committee meetings, City department meetings and Hearing Examiner sessions.
Visit the City Council Meetings site to view upcoming agendas or for more information contact the Customer Support Center by dialing 311 within Tacoma city limits or (253) 591-5000 from anywhere else.
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