Oklahoma City Buildings Begin Re-Opening To The Public

Press release from the City of Oklahoma City:

June 10, 2021

City Hall has re-opened during scheduled public meetings, and the main City of Oklahoma City office building at 420 W Main Street re-opens to the public June 14.

The full re-opening of City Hall is delayed until the fall when a security project is complete. The downtown campus buildings will otherwise re-open to the public June 14 for the first time since early in the COVID-19 pandemic.

City Hall, 200 N Walker Ave.

City Hall will be open during public meetings, which are held on the Council Chamber on the third floor. See meeting agendas at okc.gov/agenda.

The public entrance is the south door, which will be unlocked only for scheduled public meetings until the building fully re-opens. The east and west doors are permanently closed except as exits, and the north door is locked except for people with an access card.

The security project is expected to finish this fall, and then the building will fully re-open to public access. Visitor access details will be finalized beforehand.

A police officer and two Police Department cadets will be on duty during business hours, with a second police officer on duty during City Council meetings.

James D. Couch Building, 420 W Main Street

The City’s main office building will be open to the public during business hours beginning June 14. The public entrance will be the east doors on the building’s north side. Other entrances will be locked except for people with an access card.

Most business with the City may be conducted online, by virtual meeting, by email or by phone. But residents and other customers may schedule in-person meetings when necessary.

Visitors must sign in, and be escorted by an employee on upper floors. A new first-floor business center will be open to provide better customer service.

Development Services permit applications may be filled out online in the customer service portal. Virtual meetings, email and phone are the preferred communication methods. But employees will be available on-site to help customers with applications for business licenses, storm shelter permits, garage sale permits and permits for small residential projects (decks, carports, fences, remodels and other small projects). Call (405) 297-2525 before coming downtown to talk to staff, get organized and ensure you don’t have to make more than one trip.

An OKC Parks employee will issue fishing and special event permits, and handle park rentals. A Public Works employee will direct visitors to the appropriate staff person.

A phone in the lobby will help connect visitors to other employees and offices in the building.

An armed security guard and police cadet will be on duty during business hours.

This press release was produced by the City of Oklahoma City. The views expressed here are the author’s own.