It was a joyous but emotional night in Aurora as Mayor Irvin hosted a Grand Reopening Ceremony for the Aurora City Council Chambers.
After a one-year, $1.7 million renovation project to enhance accessibility and communications with Aurora residents, the Aurora City Council Chambers reopened with much fanfare and some tears.
All 12 of Aurora’s City Council Members were present, but one who supported and lauded the renovation project wasn’t physically present to see the finished project, which is now named in her honor.
“Today, we bless this brand new era in the City of Aurora, and we bless it with Scheketa Hart-Burns looking down on us from on high,” said Mayor Irvin as he led the ribbon-cutting ceremony to rename the newly renovated City Council Chambers in honor of the late alderwoman.
First elected in 1991, Scheketa Hart-Burns was the first Black person elected to the Aurora City Council and served as the Ward 7 Alderwoman until her untimely death in the summer of 2023.
She passed after complications from surgery.
Her family was present for the celebration of the new Scheketa Hart-Burns City Council Chambers. Her granddaughter, Xaviour, rang the ceremonial bell, and her widower, Bill Burns, joined Mayor Irvin to unveil the plaque that will be situated in the foyer, welcoming visitors to the new space.
The Chambers now include contemporary technology for more efficient communications and livestreaming, and a redesigned dais, audience attendance area with multiple screens, staff seating area, and entrance foyer.
— City of Aurora government