The Covington Board of Commissioners approved multiple changes and additions Tuesday night to the new city hall building on Scott Street.
First, the board approved a $100,000 addition to the contract with architectural firm Brandstetter Carroll, Inc. for additional design work. Specifically, the changes affect the old Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky building, which is included in the new city hall’s footprint. The shelter now operates out of a building on 13th Street. The contract amendment also included additional work for the new council chambers and offices.
The board also approved the transfer of 634 Scott Street, which is right next to the new building, to the Covington Motor Vehicle Parking Authority. The authority plans to convert the land into a new parking lot for City Hall.
In addition, the board approved roughly $321,000 to local branding firm Madison Design for signage and wayfinding.
Lastly, the board approved two items related to technology. The first was the approval of a new contract with Convergint Technologies, worth $165,681.19, for security and surveillance at the new building. Convergint provides security for the current city hall building, so the city was able to carry over warranties and other existing terms into the new building.
The second technology item was a contract amendment with Global Business Solutions, which is helping establish technology infrastructure in the new building.
Essam Elgusain, the city’s IT manager, told the board members, “the purpose of this amendment would be to allow and provide for the ability to efficiently address unforeseen conditions of the building, any changes that come up, and make sure we are meeting the needs of the technology.” The contract amendment costs cannot exceed $75,319, which is 10% of the original contract amount.
Construction on the new city hall is expected to be complete by mid-November, with operations out of the building beginning before the beginning of next year.
