Minutes - 20080129 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Opportunity to significantly improve entranceway to Hillsborough and reflect a more environmentally sustainable facility • County's presence will help sustain the local businesses currently located at the site. • Could potentially continue some leases after purchase to help offset debt service (similar to 501/503 W. Franklin project) • County acquires 10 acres with estimated value of$1.5--$2 million. • Facility would remain on tax rolls during lease period • Single level would offer good access to handicapped citizens (no future elevator problems) Disadvantages to Lease/Purchase • Building design could be less flexible than totally new construction. • Would get less reimbursement from State for upfit costs since we will not own the facility at the time of renovation. Advantages to New Construction • More flexibility over design outcome since you are starting with a clean site • New space • Located at an established site so clients would be familiar with the service location. Disadvantages to New Construction • Development timeline longer • The Whitted Building renovation after DSS is relocated would be more expensive and less predictable than renovating the same amount of space at the Mayo Street site. Next Steps: Human Services • State option preference, citing additional information that may be needed before staff presents item for formal BOCC approval; OR • Outline additional options to be vetted by staff and presented to BOCC at future date Commissioner Nelson asked how a renovated Wal-Mart would feel like for a working space. He is trying to understand how it would work for employees and citizens. Pam Jones said that it is a shell of a building with 56,000 square feet of wide- open space. There could be a central atrium with street-scaping on the inside. There are a lot of options for the inside. She said that the feel of the building could be easily changed. Commissioner Gordon distributed some information with questions, which is attached and hereby made a part of these minutes. Commissioner Nelson asked about how this location would work as far as people getting to the site, as opposed to the Southern Human Services Center. Social Services Director Nancy Coston said that location is a concern in making sure that both locations have good access. She made reference to a letter from the Social Services Board that it is essential that there be a minimum of 5,000 square feet at the Southern Human Services Center. The other site would have to be totally accessible.