The Margate Municipal Building is located at 9001 Winchester Ave.

By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY

MARGATE – Due to the extensive work being done on the first floor of the Margate Municipal Building, 9001 Winchester Ave., the main entrance to the building will be closed as it was during the period of COVID-19 restrictions.

Visitors can access the building through handicapped accessible Door #2, which is located on Winchester Avenue.

According to Administrator Richard Deaney, there will be a receptionist on duty in the multi-purpose room, where residents can pay their taxes and utility bills during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

A drop box has been installed at the base of the ramp for use after regular business hours.

The work, which will reconfigure certain business offices, is expected to take several months to complete at an estimated cost of $1.96 million.

The building, which was built in the 1950s as the Union Avenue School, is being upgraded to eliminate problem areas and increase security for municipal employees.

Work includes reconfiguring the tax and finance office, new lighting, flooring, installation of bulletproof transaction windows, renovating the corridor, installation of new wall coverings, ceilings, a set of doors to break up the “long look” of the corridor, a dehumidification system, reconstructing the vestibule, Americans With Disabilities Act improvements, electric doors, video cameras, asbestos abatement, exterior lighting, façade improvements, new furnishings and general cleanup after the work is completed.