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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: November 18, 2025 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-n <br /> SUBJECT: Approval of a Contract with O'Brien Atkins for Design and Engineering Services <br /> for the Renovation of the Link Center and the Sheriff's Office Evidence Storage <br /> Facility <br /> DEPARTMENT: Asset Management Services <br /> (AMS) <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> 1.) O'Brien Atkins Proposal Alan Dorman, AMS Director, 919-245- <br /> 2.) Contract 2627 <br /> PURPOSE: To: <br /> 1) Review and approve the proposal and contract with O'Brien Atkins for design and <br /> engineering services for the renovation of the Link Center and a Sheriff's Office Evidence <br /> Storage Facility; and <br /> 2) Authorize the County Manager to execute the Agreement, subject to final review by the <br /> County Attorney, and any subsequent amendments for contingent and unforeseen <br /> requirements up to the approved budget amount on behalf of the Board. <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> Link Center Renovation <br /> The John M. Link, Jr. Government Services Center, located at 200 South Cameron Street in <br /> downtown Hillsborough, encompasses 25,991 square feet and was originally constructed in 1992, <br /> serving as the main administrative building for County government. However, in recent years, the <br /> building began experiencing persistent water intrusion problems, which led to the displacement <br /> of all occupants and rendered the building unfit for use in 2019. The building is currently vacant. <br /> In Spring 2021, the County hired O'Brien Atkins to conduct a Facilities Master Plan. The plan <br /> evaluated the current County facilities and devised a plan for future growth through 2040. The <br /> Facilities Master Plan ultimately concluded that the Link Center should be used for administrative <br /> offices, but left it to future discussions on the specific occupants for the facility. <br /> In Spring 2024, the County's Justice Center Space Needs Work Group was established to review <br /> the original recommendations in the Facilities Master Plan regarding the Justice Center and <br /> surrounding buildings and finalize recommendations with stakeholders on how best to use that <br /> space. After several meetings, the Work Group recommended that the Sheriff's Office be <br />