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Village board members accepted a proposal from Aria Group Architects, Inc. to provide architectural and design services for modifying, reconfiguring and upgrading the first and second floor areas of the convention center’s large G Hall.
According to Christopher Stephens, executive director of the center, plans call for the first and second floor lobby areas of the facility to be opened up and more appealing to the tens of thousands of convention-goers who visit each year.
“We want to make it more inviting and more of a natural way to get people up and down stairs,” explained Stephens. “It will also help with the accessibility of the skybridge walkway that leads into hall G. We’ve seen an increase in attendance lately, especially for public events.”
Visitors currently are greeted by the original design of the convention hall, which gives a tight feeling.
“We want to open it up,” added Stephens. “We want to now get bids to do the work and Aria will do the architectural drawings. “This plan came about following several conversations with some of our larger shows. This is what they are looking for.”
Aria will be paid a sum not to exceed $28,500 for the work that will include presenting to the village cost estimates for the project.
“We expect the work to be done this year, if the cost is reasonable,” said Stephens.
Several improvements to the convention center have been made in recent years including reconfiguring the entrance to the facility off of River Road.
“When our facility was first built it was much smaller than it is now. We have to accommodate the growing needs of people.”
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