NS Contract - RB Engineering Inc repair the Blackwood House New Hope Park

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS • ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 5, 2007 Action Agenda Item No. q- -- q SUBJECT: Contract with RB Engineering, Inc. for Structural Engineering Services to Repair the Herbert Blackwood House (future New Hope Park at Blackwood Farm) DEPARTMENT: Purchasing, ERCD PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): Cost Proposal Photos INFORMATION CONTACT: Pam Jones, 245-2650 David Stancil, 245-2590 Tina Moon, 210-2595 PURPOSE: To consider authorizing the Chair to execute a contract with RB Engineering, Inc. . to conduct engineering work, prepare construction drawings and specifications, and to perform inspection services to repair the foundation and first floor (sills and first floor joists) of the Herbert Blackwood House. BACKGROUND: As part of the preparation of estimates for the stabilization and long-term renovation of the buildings at County-owned park properties, ERCD s#aff asked RB Engineering, Inc., in February of 2007, to evaluate the Herbert Blackwood House. The focus of this evaluation was two-fold: 1) to identify and address immediate structural issues, and 2) to begin to consider requirements and associated costs for the house for potential new uses. Many of these structures have historical significance, which is a particular expertise of RB. Engineering, Inc. The firm has inspected over 1200 structures over the last six years and has prepared similar types of structural repairs for foundations and framing on more than 200 projects. In addition, the firm has experience working with government-sponsored projects including the Orange County Land Trust. For these reasons, the Board is requested to exempt this project from the normal selection process for architectural/engineering services as provided in GS 143-64.32. The county purchased this property in late 2001 for use as aloes-impact park with an historic, agricultural and environmental theme. The property contains an historic farmstead, located near the center of the site, including an older house and nine outbuildings in various states of repair. With Board authorization, staff arranged to have six of the most significant smaller outbuildings stabilized in 2005, and is making arrangements for similar work to occur on the large barn. This work was conducted using funds identified and appropriated from the adopted Capital. Investment Plan (CIP). The farmhouse has also begun to show some serious structural issues. The first floor joists and sills have significant areas of deterioration and are in need of immediate attention. The purpose of this item is to authorize RB Engineering to conduct