MERRILLVILLE | It was noisy at times outside Town Hall last week.
Merrillville has started its project to renovate the facility at 7820 Broadway.
The parking lot is the first area to receive upgrades.
It will be resurfaced and new LED lighting will be installed, Town Councilman Tom Goralczyk said.
Workers will tackle half of the parking lot at a time so employees and visitors will have places to park during the project, Town Administrator Howard Fink said.
So far, the town hasn't encountered issues with the reduced parking at the facility, Fink said.
"If there becomes a need, we will work on a plan of action," he said.
Repairing mortar between bricks, replacing doors and installing flag poles that automatically retract flags are other aspects of the exterior work.
Goralczyk said the outdoor phase of the project could be finished by Nov. 15.
Town leaders initially discussed replacing the sign outside Town Hall, but that won't be included in this project, Goralczyk said. Merrillville could pursue that work in the spring, he said.
New carpeting will be installed and painting will occur inside Town Hall, Fink said. The interior also will receive a new sprinkler system, he said.
"The inside is definitely due for a makeover," Goralczyk said.
Town leaders continue to schedule the interior work. Fink said Merrillville is attempting to have no town service interruptions caused by the renovation project, but Merrillville will inform residents if a department in Town Hall must be temporarily closed while work is completed.
The total project is expected to cost about $1 million, Fink said.
The Town Council approved a bond in the Broadway tax increment financing district to fund the work.
The bond will not result in additional costs to taxpayers because it's in the TIF district, Fink said.
Goralczyk said the improvement project is needed because the facility hasn't been renovated since Merrillville operations moved into the building nearly 20 years ago.
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