The next time you see a house meeting -it will be held at the George Price Centre. That has been refitted to accommodate the House and Senate - because the actual National Assembly on Independence Hill is being given an exterior and interior renovation - 54 years after it was built.
The procurement notice went out in the newspapers today for the 2.7 million dollar National Assembly Building Renovation Project which is scheduled to start in October and continue for 12 months. It's being led by the MIDH which is inviting contractors to bid to perform the works.
What all will they do to the building that represents the seat of the people's power? We asked the Chief Engineer today:
Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer
"Basically renovate the entire structure and to try and retain the existing facade of the structure as best as we can so we don't want to change the exterior of the building. However because of the duration of how long that building has been there it has undergone significant deterioration and so based on our assessment there's a number of things that we have to do."
"Starting from the roof structure that's a completely dilapidated structure that we have to change the entire roof. So that timber structure will be changed to a galvanized steel structure with new roofing material installed."
"With that said that means we would have to change the entire ceiling of the structure and so that will be done as well. In terms of the ground floor the idea is for us to create more space more office space for the National Assembly staff."
"The first floor which holds the chambers we will be constructing a new meeting room for members so going up to the second floor now which is where you have the gallery. We will be doing upgrading works on the entire gallery on both sides of the chamber."
"We will be improving the press area as well. We will be having new ceilings as well within that section. We will be painting the entire room over with new tiles as well and trying to expand the floor space as best as we can in that area."
"In terms of the outside of it we want to try and retain that facade as best as we can and so what we'll be doing is basically just cleaning the outside of the structure and adding some architectural accent to improve its visibility."
Jules Vasquez
"How do you all work around the intrinsic ugliness of the building and try to make it 21st century attractive?"
Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer
"Well there's not much we could do. significantly to improve that because of the type of trellis the building has in its form right now."
So our idea and our recommendation was to try and maintain that structure because we didn't want to change it and create any problems with individuals that would have concerns about why we're changing the structure.
"So similarly, how we did the magistrate court, we tried to retain the existing facade as best as we can. That is what we're going to try and do with the National Assembly as well. But because of the duration that it has been there, you can see all the grease and grime that are on the exterior of the building."
"So, or I guess trying to bring it back to its original form as best as we can, trying not to disturb the exterior of it. I'm trying to leave it as is."
Jules Vasquez
"How do you view this project? Do you view it as foreboding, as an exciting opportunity, or just... A workman-like effort."
Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer
"For us, honestly, it's an exciting project because normally we are generally just dealing with road projects or bridges. And so because of the high that we came off of with the Magistrate Court, we believe that we could tackle this one as well and bring it back as best as we can."
"And so we're very excited about doing this project and trying to ensure that it is brought back to its original condition."
The renovations will include the installation of an elevator. Of the 2.7 million dollars, 1.5 was gifted from the government of Taiwan. Renovations to the George Price Center to act as the National Assembly temporarily cost another three quarter million dollars.
