Yesterday I had the opportunity to take a sneak peak into City Hall. I have to say, it's looking pretty good. There's been a lot of thought put into the renovation and the placement of departments within the building. My favourite spot was the seventh floor, which will be used as a sort of economic development penthouse. Potential investors will have a hard time resisting Hamilton once they see the view from up there.
Another interesting thing about the tour was the chance to get a sneak peek at the mayor and councillors' offices. Councillor Lloyd Ferguson, the chair of the renovations committee, said he assigned the offices based on ward numbers -- Brian McHattie in Ward 1 gets the first one, Bob Bratina in Ward 2 gets the one beside it and so on. Ferguson says he hopes this will avoid any drama about who ends up where.
We also got to take a look at how the mayor's office was shaping up. We were joking with the contractors about how convenient it would be if they installed video cameras and microphones in the mayor's office. When I mentioned to this to Eisenberger at council yesterday, he said his office will actually have to be swept for secret audio-visual equipment before he can move back in. He was told there's a "very real possibility" that that type of thing could happen.
Who knew?
What gives, even the Oval Office has video and audio surveillance for safety purposes, the Mayor is a public fugure that's just as importan as a President right?
Posted by: Markalanwhittle | 01/28/2010 at 12:22 PM
Must have skeletons in the closet
Posted by: craig duvall | 01/28/2010 at 03:03 PM
I know for a fact of 1 that does
Posted by: craig duvall | 01/28/2010 at 03:04 PM
Sure it looks nice to the untrained and unknowing. The place is crawling with faults, we got soaked paying for ridiculous ugly tiles to appease those heritage idiots, theres poor concrete work everywhere, stairs not leveled properly, The outside of the building is going to cost us a fortune to maintain.. its already damaged and looking horrible in spots etc, etc. We got ripped off bigtime, the people the city gave our marble away to are a lot richer than that building will ever be worth. silly hamilton people, get ready for the cityhall maintainence tax.
Posted by: ed | 01/28/2010 at 05:00 PM
What has this cost? And will it house city workers or is the city still renting at exhorbitant prices?
Posted by: TerryS | 01/28/2010 at 06:22 PM
Ed - those "heritage idiots" wanted to save you lots of money by keeping the marble. The majority of it was perfectly fine, and the rest could have been replaced for less than the cost of the concrete, never mind the increased maintenance costs over the concrete's lifespan. Oh well. At least the concrete supplier is happy. That's all that matters.
Posted by: Mary Louise | 01/29/2010 at 12:23 AM
Many many people were on the side of keeping the marble. The heritage people have one policy, keep the old at any cost. In the end the heritage group's lack of construction and maintainence knowledge help scuttle the deal. The same with the tiles they demanded we keep, ugly and brittle, they will need on going maintainence with very little value. As is always the case, they cloud the waters of every issue when things need to be done to keep heritage elements. My suggestion to them is to do a little research before you spout off to people who have been in the business for 30 years. I f I have to use a new screw to hold something old on, then try and come to grips with that.
Posted by: ed | 01/29/2010 at 11:32 AM
Ed, I was involved in the limestone campaign. Many of the heritage advocates I came in contact with were engineers and architects who had been in the business for many years. Some had worked on the original building. Perhaps you are the one who needs to do a little research before spouting off.
Posted by: Mary Louise | 01/29/2010 at 01:21 PM
Ed & Mary;i thought this topic was to get these ouncillors and mayor to bring out the truth, not fight among ourselves.Lets just bring the truth out about them,ok.I know some truth's,Do You.
lets get them out in the open,I know i will be during election moments
Posted by: craig duvall | 01/29/2010 at 03:16 PM
Ed - you have no idea what you are ranting on about. The marble is long gone. Sheesh.
Posted by: Brian Henley | 01/29/2010 at 03:48 PM
Now you're just being silly, make up your mind which campaign you were on. This is part of why city hall is disfunctional. Please stick to answering the phone, important work is being done here.
Posted by: ed | 01/29/2010 at 05:36 PM
Folks - let's keep the comments civil and respectful, please.
Posted by: Emma | 01/29/2010 at 06:18 PM
I know the marble is gone ya dummies, someone is getting rich off it right now, sheesh!!
I know more about what went on than all you city secretaries put together for crapsake. I also have photo's of the construction process from day 1, I'm there. None of you's have a clue what you're talking about, now please, back to the phones.
Posted by: ed | 01/29/2010 at 06:25 PM
Mary Louise takes on causes that make little sense. ML, why not join the flat earth society? Marble equals more dough and greater maintenance costs. This Taj Mahall is costing plenty as it is without the profligate among you advocating for more.
Posted by: TerryS | 01/29/2010 at 11:25 PM
This post will no longer accept comments, as they're veering away from intent of this entry. Thanks.
Posted by: Emma | 01/30/2010 at 06:19 PM