Work to remodel Manitou Springs City Hall is expected to be completed in mid-July, according to Alex Trefry, the city’s public information officer. The $400,000 project is being paid for from the city’s Capital Improvements Fund.
Construction officially kicked off May 15, after planning and design preparation was done. The Parking & Mobility Office had already moved to its new location in the former multi-purpose room in the city’s Pool & Fitness Center, 202 Manitou Ave.
People applying for permits, paying citations, etc., can still use the kiosk in the Police Department lobby; they can also conduct business online via this page.
The Parking Office, formerly City Council chambers, is being remodeled into the Planning Department’s new space. It will have a front counter that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines and will be closer to the front of City Hall.
“This is important because it is one of our most visited departments but is currently located near the back of the building,” Trefry said.
The administrative office area, current location of the Planning and Administration personnel, is being remodeled to create a larger file room, a break room and additional office space.
“File rooms were doubling as office space before the remodel, so a central file room for the Planning Department is a great addition to have,” Trefry said.
Closet space is being added in Memorial Hall so that chairs, tables and other equipment can be stored out of sight. When work is happening in the hall, it’s unavailable for rental, but that’s had a minimal impact, he said.
Planning Department personnel are sharing one office, but are also working from home; their desk phones forward calls to their work cell phones. There’s always one in-office planner to assist walk-in customers.
“In short, from the public’s end, the only thing that has changed is the location of the Parking & Mobility department, as we wanted to ensure the project did not have a major impact to how our residents conduct business with us,” Trefry said.