Share
The city of Charlotte will install two permanent metal detectors at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center to replace temporary security stations set up for public meetings.
In addition to the metal detectors, the city plans to install turnstiles at entrances for staff members, which will open with government-issued badges.
The project will cost just under $470,000, with $209,500 of that set aside for the new security equipment.
The City Council on Monday awarded a $258,000 contract with Edison Foard Inc. for the architectural work at five entrances to accommodate the equipment.
When the building now hosts a public meeting, the two public entrances - on Davidson Street and the plaza on East Fourth Street - are staffed with temporary security stations.
All visitors are searched for weapons with a hand-held wand. Bags are searched by hand.
Under the planned system, all visitors will go through the metal detectors, even if there isn't a public meeting at the time.
Bags will still be searched by hand.
Sue Rutledge of the city's engineering and property management department said the permanent metal detectors will be "less intrusive" than the hand-held wands.
She said she expects the metal detectors to be installed by the end of spring.
Mecklenburg County will pay for half of the project's costs.
