NORWOOD – The Village of Norwood and the Norwood Village Green Concert Series have begun work on improvements on the band shell on the green, including painting, new restroom doors, and a steel gate across the front.

With the awarding of a Community Development and Environmental Improvement Program grant by the St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment and the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agencies in the amount of $16,570, and an additional $2,000 from the village and $3,000 from the concert series, a total of $21,570 has been allocated to the project. Combined, these moneys will cover the expenses of the current band shell improvement program. The local money amounts to 23 percent of the funds awarded.

The interior of the band shell, steel posts, restrooms including the floors, all of the trim on the soffits, all will be painted to match the current colors. Damaged soffits across the front of the band shell and on one side will be replaced. New commercial grade steel doors will be installed on the restrooms and locks will be reconfigured. A new lock will be installed on the band shell load-in door. Security cameras have already been placed and activated covering the band shell and its surrounding areas.

A lockable eight-foot tall bifold polished galvanized steel gate will be installed across the 39.4 foot proscenium.

Twelve custom built acoustical panels will be installed on the three cement block walls of the band shell. Because of this installation the planned security measures will be taken.

The finished product will cut down on reverberation on stage and protect the ears of the performers, eliminate audio monitoring problems and protect the investment of this major improvement.

The improvements will make set-ups and take downs for each concert easier and less time consuming.

It is expected that all work will be completed by the end of June.

The improvements to the band shell and its dedicated rest rooms work well in tandem with the major renovations of the municipal building completed last summer, according to concert series founder and president Joe Liotta.

With the new built-in concession stand, the audience space for outdoor concerts has been substantially increased. The handicap accessible second story of the municipal building has additional restrooms available to the outdoor concert audience.

The primary concert rain-site, the community room of the municipal building, will also be served by these new restrooms and new kitchen facilities.