Article content

Article content

The glass “pony wall” was to be raised to a height of 132 cm by raising the glass panels by 50 cm. The original wall, which was installed in 2017 for about $85,000 according to media reports, was controversial at the time, as were the additional metal detectors outside the chambers.

The new glass cost $38,500 and the two metal detectors in the atrium were already in the building, according to the city.

These glass panes were installed in the council chamber until Thursday and the noise barriers have disappeared. The “No Trespassing” signs had not yet been put up.

Further innovations, including “multi-layered security measures” and “increased security personnel on site”, have already been implemented, the Council’s communication says.

Arjan Sharma, branch manager for the city’s fleet and building services, told Postmedia the changes were the result of a safety review following the January shooting.

“With these investments, the City of Edmonton is striking a balance between the safety of building users and continued accessibility for the public,” he said in an email. “Through careful planning, a balance was achieved on this project that allows the City to maintain a high level of safety without compromising the inclusive atmosphere of City Hall or the needs of dedicated staff.”

Article content

No one was physically injured in the January shooting, but the incident caused about $100,000 in damage to the building.

Two new sets of glass security doors can be seen on the mezzanine floor, blocking public access to the stairs leading to the council members’ and mayor’s offices on the second floor. Two more sets of doors blocking the second floor hallways to the council members’ private offices are planned. The dimensions of the doors are marked with tape on the floors on the east and west sides of the building.

The memo about the security improvements was posted on the City of Edmonton’s open data website on Wednesday after Postmedia raised questions about why the memos were delayed in being published. The City of Edmonton stopped publishing memos for several months last year, despite publicly pledging to publish them in 2017. However, when Postmedia asked why, the city resumed publishing them.

“As inconspicuous as possible”

Asked about the security changes made on Wednesday, Mayor Amarjeet Sohi told reporters that the improvements were the result of a security review and that the barriers in the rooms are transparent so that people can see through.

“These changes are as unobtrusive as possible. They try to blend into City Hall,” he said. “We want to make sure City Hall remains a welcoming, easily accessible place for all Edmontonians who are simultaneously dealing with City Council and city government.”