ROME — Architect Steven Kushner with Bergmann Architects Engineers Planners, of Rochester, was back in Rome Wednesday to outline proposed renovations for City Hall on North Washington Street during a special public work session.

Proposed renovations include a 3,441 square-foot addition to the current building, as well as a new entrance-way and community room.

Similar to the Liberty James Garage project discussed during a walk-through and work session May 11, $1.28 million in Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding would be used toward the project, and use of American Recovery Program Act monies is also being considered. Other sources of funding to include ARPA monies and bonding, would amount to $3.5 million.

Bergmann Associates presented a schematic design package for the proposed project on Wednesday to total approximately $4.69 million.

• Addition with new lobby, gathering space and public restrooms to support activity inside City Hall and on Griffo Green.

• Replace aged, damaged and dangerous curtainwall.

• Repair/replace code-deficient electrical conditions.

• Focus on improvements to security.

• Added south canopy and exterior sidewalk radiant heating.

Kushner said the City Hall addition would include a new lobby, gathering space and public restrooms.

The enlarged entryway would incorporate codes and taxes offices; a security desk for primary check-in with terrazzo flooring pattern focused on the desk; a skylight above the new lobby; a new entry featured controlled by security; an assessor’s counter with primary public counter, office space for private meetings and relocated Veterans Memorial in the Community Room; a family/unisex restroom in addition to a men’s and women’s restrooms; and revised City Clerk counter.

“The new lobby space is a designated space for security (for visitors) to come through first, check in and then they can continue on to taxes, codes or the clerk’s counter, or someone can come down to escort them into the building,” Kushner explained of the entry design.

As for the curtainwall, Kushner said the glass is currently cracked and leaking where there’s a curvature above the stairwell. The roof, looking down, will be accessible for maintenance only and not for the public, he added.

Common Council President Stephanie Viscelli asked if replacing the curtainwall with glass as it’s currently comprised, will result in problems in the future and should instead be replaced with a solid wall.

“We’re replacing it with another configuration,” Kushner answered. “This is failing because of the current configuration. It’s not holding rain or snow on the windows” like the current wall, “so it won’t perform in the same way.”

He said, “That’s why it’s important to have glass there, and it’s different, because now it starts from the ground and slopes up.” Kushner added that with the new design, windows won’t begin from the ground up, but will instead begin on the second level. “...You’re spending more in energy bills because of the window conditions and it’s creating leaks in various places.”

Kushner also included in the schematic design the replacement of exterior windows throughout the building, that will require new framing.

When discussing the lobby area and existing atrium, Third Ward Councilor Kimberly Rogers asked if the plaques that display photos of all Rome’s mayors be displayed in a common area so people visiting City Hall can see them. Kushner said that could be worked into the plans.

As part of the renovations, Kushner said the city will be required to repair the building’s code-deficient electrical service. An electrician from Schuler Haas Electric Corporation in Ithaca was hired to conduct a field investigation and provide a report, which in turn was provided to City Council, he said.

Issues discovered included evidence of asbestos-containing materials (ACM) in sealants and wraps associated with the chilled water system and on metal duct joints throughout the building; and several electrical items in the existing service were not code compliant.

As for noted codes and safety violations of the electrical system, “The electrician identified 15 conditions related to the main electrical service and generator,” said Kushner. “As a stand-alone project, this would be about $65,000 (which was priced in March 2021). However, it’s more cost-effective to have a new electrical room that can service the main building, and the new addition.”

In regards to building security, and in addition to the main security desk at the new entrance, Kushner said other sections of the building can be locked and closed off when either the community room is in use, or when Council Chambers is open for Council, Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals meetings.

Kushner also presented plans for a heated canopy for the public to gather under during outdoor events at the Griffo Green, which would include some sidewalk replacement with radiant heating.

While Rogers said the electrical room was obviously a necessary part of the project with the code violations “that would probably pass among the council tomorrow,” however, she questioned if Kushner and Bergmann Associates could break down each component of the city hall renovations, with an estimated cost for each.

“...But if we’re spending ARPA funding on the canopy” for example, and a specific cost is known for that part of the project alone, “then we can say, ‘Well, how do we want to spend our ARPA funds?,’” said Rogers.

She said, “The curtainwall has been bad since 2000. There’s been buckets on the staircase for that long. Some things are absolutely necessary, so I think we want to be able to say” to constituents, “it is necessary to do this or that.”

Deputy Director of Community and Economic Development Matthew Andrews added that the city has been looking at other opportunities for funding for window replacement at city hall, such as Federal Emergency Management Agency grants — specifically earmarked for COVID and ventilation — but “this project really doesn’t qualify for FEMA funding,” he said.

Toward the end of the presentation Kushner said he and Bergmann can come back with more of a beak down of line items and costs.

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