Want a Glimpse of Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker’s Office?

Just got back from a press conference at Raleigh’s city hall. I tagged along with one of NBC17’s reporters because I wanted to see if I could find something to blog about. The ‘event’ was in Mayor Charles Meeker’s office, a place I don’t imagine many Raleigh residents ever visit.

I call it an ‘event’ because his office was staged so photographers could get a good shot — a royal blue curtain was strung up in front of a wall, a podium adorned with the city’s seal was centered between two flags and most of the furniture was pushed aside to make way for cameras and reporters.

Since you’ve probably never been inside the mayor’s office, let me fill you in on what’s there. First off, one wall is made up almost entirely of floor-to-ceiling windows that are encased in creme curtains. The mayor’s desk doesn’t face the windows, and there’s really no reason it should — the view is hardly breath taking. It overlooks a small utility building (which spokeswoman Jayne Kirkpatrick told me probably houses the building’s heating and cooling system) a driveway leading to the building and a parking garage. Kirkpatrick noted that the offices on the north side of city hall all have the big windows, but a mediocre view. For some reason, offices on the buidling’s south side have smaller windows, but a better view of the city.

So furniture. Mayor Meeker’s desk is almost empty. There’s a PC, a green coffee mug and a few papers organized in three neat stacks. Spokeswoman Kirkpatrick said the mayor spends about two or three hours there a day, usually after he leaves his day job as an attorney, and he always keeps his desk tidy. Lots of blue leather chairs lined with upholstery tacks were pushed to one side. I sat on a blue couch covered with beige flowers and birds. Awards and knick knacks lived on end tables. The carpet is burnt orange, beige textured wallpaper clings to three walls (the fourth wall is sort of a mustard color). Hanging up are color photos of the city’s nighttime skyline, paintings of places I didn’t recognize and posters from random events including First Night and La Fiesta Del Pueblo.

As for the press conference, the mayor announced plans to pursue impact fee increases, year-round permanent water conservation measures and improving bus service. Watch the news to catch more on that.