Stepping into Athens City Hall now comes with an extra layer of security. As of yesterday, visitors need to pass through a newly implemented screening process. The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government, which includes the Mayor and Commission, inked the FY25 budget back in June, earmarking funds to transform City Hall into a weapon-free zone, mirroring the longstanding protocols of the Athens-Clarke County Courthouse. "As we implement these new measures, we ask that visitors who are attending public meetings or appointments plan ahead and allow additional time to enter City Hall," Central Services Director Andrew Saunders said in a statement, reflecting the anticipated adjustment period for residents.
During regular hours, from Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except on holidays, entry is strictly funneled through a checkpoint beneath the steps on College Avenue, which is also ADA-accessible. For public meetings happening outside the usual 9-to-5 window, an additional security screening entrance will open on the second floor, depending on the availability of security personnel and specific event needs. However, these instances will be less common, as primarily the ground level entrance will be operational. City Hall's return to hosting the Mayor and Commission meetings as of today marks the conclusion of the temporary venue shifts to the Clarke County School District’s Vernon Payne Auditorium, where the deliberative body convened during May and June.
Athens police officers or contracted private security staff are now stationed to conduct screenings ensuring compliance with the new weapons-free policy; however, they've made it clear they will not hold personal items for visitors – anything not allowed must be stored away from City Hall ahead of time. For individuals exiting, they must do so via designated routes, either through the same security checkpoint they entered or the lower ground floor exits, and during non-screening times, the second floor doors are restricted solely for emergency use.
While most screenings should be quick, queues could form, necessitating additional time for civic-minded citizens coming to engage with local governance or uphold appointments. The ACCGov Central Services Department collaborated with the Manager’s Office, City Hall employees, and the Attorney’s Office in orchestrating the new security protocols. "We expect most screenings to be a relatively quick process, but in some cases, there may be a short wait in line to move through the security area," Saunders remarked, signaling the balancing act between public safety and accessibility, according to an announcement by the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government. Details about upcoming Mayor and Commission meetings, along with other public assemblies, are accessible on the official ACCGov website, including an online events calendar for those who wish to plan their visit to City Hall accordingly.
