Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Facility Renovation And Accessibility topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council reviews Banneker Room renovation plans; members press for sight lines, ADA access and AV trials
Summary
Design team presented schematics to widen the dais, add ADA access, and modernize AV and lighting. Councilmembers asked for revised sight‑line options, a technology site visit and confirmation of schedule and budget.
Howard County officials and design consultants presented updated plans for the Banneker Room renovation during the council’s September meeting, outlining changes to the dais, audiovisual upgrades and an installation timeline dependent on procurement of long‑lead AV components.
The presentation was led by Zach Kullenbeck (project representative) and Krista Carrigan of Michael Graves Architecture. Carrigan described the primary goals: “to expand the dais so that it's larger to accommodate more people upfront, but also to provide ADA accessibility,” and to update lighting, audiovisual systems and flooring.
The renovation will replace the existing stepped dais with a reconfigured unit that includes a ramp for ADA access, electronic nameplates, base‑station tablets with microphones at each seat and improved broadcast cameras and lighting. Carrigan said the team is exploring LED screens to improve visibility for the audience and better camera calibration for diverse on‑screen appearances.
Schedule and budget: the design team said delivery depends on lead times for AV equipment; they are aiming for permit submission by mid‑October with a potential installation window in December or January. The project budget referenced by staff and consultants was approximately $700,000 (design, AV and construction contingencies included); the design team said the figure also covers consultants and AV configuration.
Councilmembers pressed the team on sight lines and dais geometry. Councilmember David said the new design “is just twice as big” but questioned whether the change would address the council’s primary goal: being able to see one another around the dais. He and other members asked to revisit a prior, more u‑shaped option and requested a site visit to see a similar installation before finalizing design choices.
The design team offered to schedule a tour of Laurel’s recently completed installation (their consultant has implemented a similar technology solution there) and to bring back revised drawings. Project manager Bill Brown and Krista Carrigan agreed to confirm AV lead times and to submit permit drawings in a timeline that would preserve a December installation if council preferences can be resolved quickly.
Ending: Councilmembers asked staff to arrange the site visit for members, to circulate the alternate drawing set shown at the April meeting and to confirm whether any changes would affect the proposed December construction window.
