Agenda - 09-16-2014 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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I Chris Garis reviewed several Brewer Lane site photos and drawings and discussed site 2 scenarios for utilization. 3 He said the drawing of site scenario A shows a proposed building footprint of 20,600 4 gross square feet and a parking deck with 250 parking space additions. He said 80 parking 5 spots are required for the library, and the additional spaces are for future development as 6 needed. He noted the green space, which serves as a buffer between the bikeway and a 7 development. He reviewed more photos of site scenarios and surrounding development. 8 Chris Garis said there is an important opportunity and challenge to get visibility for the 9 library from the main street. 10 He said both site scenarios have the parking deck and the library connected to allow for 11 weather safe access. He said option B has a 21,300 gross square footage footprint, as well as 12 an open space on the garden level. He said the challenge is to bring the signage out into the 13 development to provide visibility. He said this second scenario puts the library closer to 14 greenway. 15 Chris Garis said some of the challenges include: the parking deck; access and traffic; 16 reinforced structure to provide for vertical expansion; and visibility. He said many of these can 17 be mitigated throughout development. He said the benefits include: the central downtown 18 location; the synergy of surrounding development; the ability to draw patrons; adjacency to the 19 greenway and public transit routes; and the benefit of the neighboring parking deck. 20 He said the construction costs are averages, based on the square footage numbers. He 21 said regional libraries average a $250 per square foot of building -only cost. He said furniture, 22 fixtures, and equipment are an additional $35 per square foot, and audiovisual costs could be 23 $25 to $45 per square foot, depending on programming. He said the reinforced structure to 24 allow for vertical expansion is about $30 per square foot; parking comes in at $1.6 million; 25 professional fees are $25 per square foot; and land acquisition is budgeted for $600,000. 26 Jeff Thompson discussed next steps. He said the intent is to get feedback tonight along 27 with possible direction to move forward with this site. He said, if asked to move forward, staff 28 would return with a development agreement in October, and RFQ selection for the 29 designer /architect would happen at the first of the year. He said after that staff would 30 simultaneously work on program verification, construction documents, and town permits. He 31 said bid opening would be in May of 2016, as well as a financing event, and the opening would 32 occur 15 months later. 33 Commissioner Price asked for an explanation of the design process. She said it seems 34 lengthy, and she asked if there was any way to shorten it. 35 Jeff Thompson said staff would need the summer to work on a letter of intent with the 36 developer. He said no designer has been selected, and that process will take 60 -90 days. He 37 said once this is finished there will be a design process, a permitting process, and a program 38 verification process that will happen. He said the permitting process with the Town of Carrboro 39 will take about 6 months. He said it may be possible to expedite this part of the process. . 40 Commissioner Price asked about the square footage of the main library. 41 Katherine Taylor said it is about 23,000 square feet. 42 Commissioner Dorosin said the site picture slide shows a much larger building that will 43 encompass more than just a library. He asked how much control or input the County will have 44 over the design elements as a tenant. He asked how that collaboration will work. 45 Brian Ferrell, Counsel for the transaction, said there will be some options for the Board 46 of County Commissioners to consider regarding ownership interest. He said the principals for 47 301 Developers have been welcoming in providing options for how the ownership and 48 relationship would work. He said he would leave the specifics of this for a later conversation. 49 Brian Ferrell said there is always a straight lease option, where the County is a tenant 50 and the developer can continue doing what it has been doing on this site, developing different