mincow 09-30-19 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The presentation concluded with a tentative recommendation to pursue an adaptive reuse strategy with a budget of$4 million and to release an RFQ for a design-build team by the end of 2019. The Committee discussed the pros and cons of adaptive re-use verses new construction as well as the ramifications on specific programming. Ms. Hennie shared that all contractors who have walked through the church believe that the 50- year old church has been well maintained and just needs a bit more care to bring up to today's standards. The Committee discussed the standards by which the schools determined whether to re-use buildings or build new ones and if this standard could be applied here. The administration discussed ways in which adaptive re-use of Cove Church makes sense and contrasted this with why it doesn't make sense at the Lawther Center for the City. The Lawther Center may be put on the market in conjunction with the Hilliard Theater site. Director Gelsomino discussed her vision for the space in detail. She does not think that the space will be outgrown in 10-20 years. During deliberations, Committee members expressed support for adaptive re-use for the following reasons: • To preserve a building with unique character • More environmentally sustainable to re-use than to tear down and build new • Lower cost • With some investments, the existing building can be brought up to modern standards of efficiency In response to a question by Councilmember George, Mayor Summers discussed the financing of the project. He identified the following possible sources of funding: • $3.5 million in the land acquisition fund (from estate tax windfall) • Block grants • Capital funding from the State—if the project can be further along in planning by January • Sale of the City's property at 1450 Belle to net $2 million • Sale of the City's residential properties • Lakewood Hospital Fund He advised against using debt. Mayor Summers provided background on the land acquisition fund. He stated that spending the fund will not have an impact on the City's bond rating. He committed to returning to Council with a draft RFQ and more firm cost estimates. The neighbors of the site asked questions about ADA accessibility, hazardous materials abatement,the EPA's influence on the project and the differences between the design-build and design-bid-build process. The administration addressed these questions. 2