City Hall is undergoing a lobby remodel that’s a little bit about efficiency and primarily about security. 

“We’re trying to balance the public’s access to service with our employees’ safety,” said City Manager Mike Barker. 

The project is happening just inside the north entrance off of Pioneer Road. Until now, immediately to the right upon entering from the north, there was a window into the city’s Finance Department where people could pay bills. Beyond that was an information desk staffed by an employee to direct visitors to various city departments. 

“Both of those functions will now be in one spot behind a secured area,” Barker said. He described the remodeled design as having a glass enclosure with a small window for the exchange of paperwork, similar to a bank. 

Barker said the goals of the remodel were twofold: added security and better use of space within the Finance Department. The redesign will allow for a new, enclosed office within Finance and the removal of a large counter within that department. “On the Finance side, we’re gaining an office and freeing up some space,” he said. 

According to Barker, there were funds in the city’s facilities budget for the remodel. This was not something that required approval of the Draper City Council, but Barker said they’ve been kept apprised of the project. The total cost is anticipated to be approximately $260,000.

“New government buildings going up in Utah are, unfortunately, kind of walled-off in terms of security. You want to serve the public but you want your employees to be secure doing their jobs. We wanted to address that,” Barker said.

The remodel started the week of Jan. 5 and is projected to be completed in mid to late February. “It appears to be going along on schedule so I think we’ll make that goal,” Barker said.