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