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Council reviews concept for $1.2 million council chambers remodel with new AV, security and flexible seating
Summary
Architects presented a concept for a remodel of the council chambers that prioritizes sight lines, security, accessibility and new AV; Bray Architects estimated construction at $700,000 and total project cost about $1.2 million including soft costs and contingency.
City staff and Bray Architects presented concept designs to reconfigure the Davenport council chambers to improve sight lines, public displays, security and audiovisual capability.
Clay, the project lead, said the council’s stakeholder group asked Bray Architects to rethink the room layout, and introduced John Mann of Bray. Mann described a rotated curved dais with the mayor at one corner, low walls and gated access to the council area, a podium for presenters, additional room monitors, a dedicated media area and flexible, stackable seating. He said the designs include accessibility features such as a ramp at one access point and a full-height wall behind the dais to improve separation between council and public.
On cost, Mann provided a high-level estimate: "The construction cost is showing at about 700,000. Soft costs are showing at 4.5, 460,000, giving you a total cost of 1,200,000." He said roughly 20% of that total is contingency to cover unknowns (ceiling, mechanical/electrical) and that some savings may be realized if less destructive work is required. The estimate includes a wholesale AV backbone, wiring, wall monitors and a lump sum for displays.
Council members expressed concern about the price tag and asked whether smaller technology upgrades could meet immediate needs. Mann and Clay said less extensive options were considered and that the concept is intended to capture long-term needs; they also noted procurement programs could yield savings and that council can set a fixed budget if desired. Several members raised practical questions about seating comfort, chair types and room occupancy; staff said final furniture decisions would be made during the full design phase and that the city will confirm occupancy with the fire authority.
Clay said staff will share renderings and a walk-through video/model with council in the next day or two and will return with a scoping and procurement timetable if the council wants to proceed to design.
