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technology available, including screens around
the room used when something is shown, so
that both aldermen and those in attendance
can view them. Special accommodations
were made for members of the media to plug
into the microphone system. The wall behind
the board of aldermen features another work
by Andy Young and Pearl River Glass Studio.
The glass mural depicts Ridgeland through
symbols and form. In the center is the seal
of the City of Ridgeland. The background
features trees, a familiar scene along the
Natchez Trace Parkway, which is depicted
by an arc flowing through the trees.
The building also included a muchimproved,
dynamic IT and traffic control
division that features a fully-enclosed and
protected server room along with traffic
monitors to cover the entire city. The public
works department has space for its emergency
operations center, focused on providing
continuous service to the community in
times of crisis.
The rest of the building is designed with
both function and service in mind. “When
they were working on plans for the building,
architects from Dean and Dean met with
each department to determine their needs,”
says McGee. The finishes in the mayor’s
office, finance and administration, water
billing, community development, public
works and recreation and parks are very
simple and budget friendly. “Our mission for
this project has been to build a community
green space and city hall building that is
representative of Ridgeland,” McGee says. It
was important to the mayor and board that
the building be centrally located and energy
efficient, welcoming, yet fiscally conservative,
function to provide top quality service,
resilient to stand the test of time, and one
that represents the beauty of Ridgeland.
The greenspace is on the front side of
the building, which faces east, towards the
police department building. “Just wait until
Christmas,” says McGee. “It’s going to be a
real showplace!” The greenspace can be
used for community events, such as family
movie nights.
The $15.9 million Ridgeland City Hall
was built without a tax increase. The Veterans
Memory Park has been funded in part by
through sponsorship opportunities and
through engraved bricks and plaques sold
to honor veterans. “It’s a place where people
can come meditate and remember their
friends and family members who served in
the military,” says McGee. “We will use it
two times each year to honor our veterans.”
The first time will be on Veteran’s Day,
November 11, at 11:00am. Representative
Michael Guest will be the speaker.
Hometown MADISON • 31