By Amelia Friedman and Melissa Bykofsky
, I didn't expect anything different from what I was used to where I live - just outside of our nation's capital. I've seen office buildings before. Basically, I was only there with the hopes of learning more about local government and how it functions. However, the newly restored and renovated building, a $60 million project which began in 2002, impressed all of us from the moment we stepped onto the property.
After being checked in at the main floor desk by a police officer, we were introduced to Legislator Francis X. Becker, who led us toward his office. We ooh-ed and ah-ed all the way from the main lobby, only to be more impressed after hearing that each legislator's office was carefully decorated, each in a different, unique way.
"We have been very happy with our new offices," said Becker. "But it really belongs to the people. It's both functional and aesthetically pleasing. We were skeptical at first about turning an old courthouse into our offices, but it has worked out wonderfully."
The building is a maze of grandiose hallways and beautifully decorated offices. As we toured the building, the sun streamed in through the wide and ever-present windows. The view of the greenery outdoors was incredible, obviously the result of weeks of landscaping and gardening.
Becker walked us through the lobby, which was the home of a grand staircase adorned with wall-length murals. These four murals were restorations of the originals designed by Robert Gaston Herbert. The painted scenes include the laying of the first cornerstone of the courthouse in July of 1900 by President Theodore Roosevelt.
Gazing up - way up - at the Grecian columns and majestic stonework, we were in awe. We walked in and immediately turned our heads to view the tall dome that loomed overhead, we could feel the history dating back to the early 1900's surrounding us.
On July 13, 2002, the 102nd anniversary of the laying of the Old Courthouse cornerstone, Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi announced the renaming of the courthouse on Franklin Avenue as the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative building, and with that, the restoration began.
The newly-renovated building now includes a separate legislative and administrative wing that will provide workspace for both the legislative and executive branches of government. The newly-built expansion is home to Suozzi's office, which contains many historic pieces from the original building are present, including a 1993 plaque given to Garden City which is used as a coffee table top, and a rounded desk composed from the 108 year-old window panes from the original building.
In the courthouse's conference rooms, the standard telephone has retired and been replaced by projectors, screens, laptops and SMARTBoards. People can teleconference via video or audio. The entire building is high-tech, with flat-screen monitors in every legislative office to keep them informed.
Our tour continued to the new legislative chambers. As we entered the meeting room, we were impressed by the immense space, used to accommodate all who choose to attend meetings. Each legislator is assigned a personal seat facing the audience, decked with an individual flat-screen television used to view Power Point presentations. The room itself is equipped with a large flat-screen television so the audience can view the presentations as well.
The meetings that occur in the legislative chambers are open to the public with the stipulation that everyone must sign in. The meetings start with a public comment session which runs for a half hour. These meetings are broadcasted on the Internet through a real-time, live feed.
We concluded our tour with Becker in the old legislative offices and chamber. The comparison from the new building to the old was unbelievable. The offices in the old building were beige and dark. The chamber was smaller and more old-fashioned looking. The new building has more history and prestige, a clear-cut choice to house the new offices and chamber.
Tours of the newly-renovated legislative offices will be offered to the public. For more information, or to inquire about a tour, contact Becker's office at (516)571-6206.
Comments about this story? MMalloy@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 202.
