DOWNTOWN — It's good to be home.
The City Council held its first full hearing in their newly-renovated City Hall chambers Thursday afternoon after having to work at a nearby bank for more than a year.
"Great! Fantastic!" Upper Manhattan City Council Member Robert Jackson told DNAinfo. "It's about time. I'm ready to take my seat."
Council Speaker Christine Quinn greeted council members before the session began at the building, which dates back to 1812 and is in the midst of a $124 million overhaul.
"Welcome back, everybody!" she said to loud applause.
While parts of the work, including placing rotting beams and upgrading safety systems, have been completed, the entire project is not expected to be finished until July 2012, months behind schedule.