Agenda - 12-06-2004-9c - Laserfiche WebLink

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provided the basis for the design of the space, which consists of small exam rooms with sinks that will provide an opportunity for a variety of service delivery options in the future. The project site plan has been reviewed by the Community Design Committee (CDC) (October 11) and the Chapel Hill Town Council (November 15), Both groups were supportive of the site plan and offered no comments that would significantly alter the attached site plan. The project has many regulatory milestones to complete before its projected commencement in summer 2005. As Hated in the attached letter from Richard Gurlitz, the project continues to stay on track for the June 30, 2006 opening date, In order to maintain the schedule, however, a fixed budget must be articulated to the designer, which will in turn better define their parameters and allow them to proceed with the design, FINANCIAL IMPACT: The project architect has produced an estimate of what a similar project to the Senior Center may reasonably be expected to cost in today's construction market, Pursuant to the estimate attached, the project will cost in the neighborhood of $4.9 million. A complete itemization of the elements is attached, but in general includes the building construction and all owner responsibilities including, but not limited to, design fees, OWASA capital costs, Town fees, furnishings, etc. Note that the costs cited as owner responsibilities are estimates and staff believes there is flexibility in some of the elements, For example, there is latitude in the $300,000 estimated to furnish the facility. It is important to note that these numbers are preliminary, but do, in the opinion of the architect, reflect today's market costs considering the impact of higher fuel costs and the rising costs of construction materials, including steel and concrete. Further, it is important to Hate that this budget snapshot is based on current conditions, Although the market has shown small signs of stabilization in the past few months, the conditions present at the time the project is put to bid next year will determine the final bid outcome. The Board has endorsed a debt issuance schedule that includes 2001 voter approved bonds totaling $4 million, along with an additional $2,150 million in private placement funds to fund two senior centers: one 25,000 square foot facility in southern Orange and one 15,000 square foot facility in Central Orange, The Southern Orange Senior Center planning committee has been adamant in their support of a building no less than the 25,000 square feet called for in the Master Aging Plan, Understanding that the $4,9 million that is currently the project estimate is significantly beyond what the County's allocation for this project, the architect has suggested that the 25,000 square foot structure could be built within a budget range from $4.1 to $4..5 million by leaving some portions of the building unfinished as shell space, pending additional funding from either public or private sources, RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: • Authorize a $4,1 million budget for the completion of a 25,000 square foot senior center at the Southern Orange Human Services Center campus; and • Direct staff to bring forward funding options that addresses the construction of both senior centers in January 2005.