An Overhaul of City Hall Interiors

09.20.2012

The interiors throughout Norcross' City Hall's public areas are getting refreshed after their original installation when the building was built in 2002.  The dramatic rotunda and the Police Department lobby will soon sport a more contemporary feel, with warmer colors and more inviting furniture groupings. Existing wood benches will be upholstered with contemporary fabrics, and new pieces added to create more sitting areas within the large open space.

 

"Wherever possible, we are refurbishing what's already in there," explains City Manager Rudolph Smith. "Much of that furniture just needed to be repaired and re-stained to make it look appealing again, and not only is that easily accomplished, it saves the city a good deal of money as compared to going out and buying everything new."

 

Residents Kathy Nau and Julie Burton were volunteer members of the redecorating committee, lending their talents to updating the municipal building's worn interiors.  New LED lights will replace the older, less-environmentally-friendly types that were in place. New paint colors were selected for the walls, new carpet and tile will replace the worn carpet, and new trim and ceiling tiles will give the Police Department lobby a fresher and brighter look. All the framed art, trophies, plaques and memorabilia that previously hung in odd corners of the building was compiled, and will be re-framed with plans to re-hang in areas that better showcase the collection. Photos of former Police Chief Grady Simpson and long-time employee Rossie Brundage were fading; the photos are being digitized and painted over so they look like original oil paintings.

 

"There are so many great archival pieces around, but they just weren't being shown off to their best advantage in most cases. We're pleased with how the decorating committee has thought of ways to preserve that history and showcase it, rather than just replace it," said Smith. "When they're finished, City Hall will be a beautiful blend of the old and the new, just like much of the rest of the city."

 

Mr. Smith asked that visitors to City Hall and the Police Department "pardon our dust" while the re-painting, re-flooring and general refurbishing takes place. The project is expected to be completed by the end of November.