The NYC Council hearing rooms have become the city's most buzzing hotspot.

The New York City Council has unveiled three new public hearing rooms located right across the street from City Hall. These state-of-the-art spaces, designed specifically for public use, are a significant improvement over the old rooms, which were cramped and situated in the middle of offices.

The idea for the construction of these new hearing rooms came from within the council itself. The new space, entirely dedicated to the City Council's public hearings, is a testament to the council's commitment to accessibility and public engagement.

The new hearing rooms are more accessible, featuring built-in wheelchair ramps, more elevators, a lactation room, and easy-to-find bathrooms, including a gender-neutral restroom. Each new hearing room can seat approximately 74 people, an increase from the 55-seat capacity of the old rooms. A waiting area with a water bottle filling station and charging outlets is provided for the convenience of attendees.

The new hearing rooms are open and basked in sunlight, offering sweeping views of lower Manhattan and City Hall. Each room is equipped with five cameras built into the walls for City Council videographers to work from a separate control center. An overflow room with bright lighting and rows of chairs is available for additional attendees.

Language interpreters will work from the overflow room via headsets to minimize cross-talk in the hearing rooms. The large overflow room will also serve as a space for larger, more popular hearings that may still be held in the City Council's chambers at City Hall.

The new hearing rooms will be the primary area for the New York City Council to conduct public hearings. Sgt. Rafael Perez, chief sergeant at arms for the New York City Council, led a tour of the new space on Tuesday, providing a first-hand look at the council's commitment to accessibility and public engagement.

The construction of the new hearing rooms replaced two older, smaller rooms and was initially planned years ago during Corey Johnson's tenure as speaker of the City Council. However, the project was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new hearing rooms are now open and ready to serve the public, marking a significant step forward in the council's efforts to make public hearings more accessible and engaging for all New Yorkers.