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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMBC 05/17/1994MEMORANDUM TO: Amos Robinson FROM: Steve MacjC�affrie - MBC 16 DATE:r.; SUBJ.: Municipal Building Study On May 10, 1994, the Municipal Building Feasibility Study Committee (MBFSC) met to discuss the Board of Selectmen's requests of May 4, 1994. The MBFSC received questions from Selectman, Ralph Penney. 1. What is included in the cost estimates? The cost estimates in the study are based upon a conceptual square foot cost added to this is an average of 10% for fees (which may include architectural renderings, designs for HVAC, plumbing, electric, etc.) and 10% for contingencies, any unforeseen conditions that may occur during construction. The cost estimates that the MBFSC has put forth are based upon what atypical square foot cost for rehabilitation of a building would be. The MBFSC costs include design fees, construction and furnishings and equipment. The MBFSC did not include any land costs that may be included in the building of a new fire station. 2. Can an implementation schedule be prepared? We have prepared an implementation schedule. We have set up a five year schedule starting with Town Meeting in September 1994 and ending with final completion in May 1999. As stated in the report, we recommended following the critical needs' areas. The chart illustrates the progression process, first Park Row must be completed. This would allow the Town Hall to move into the former school. The Police station could alleviate some of their space needs immediately as they expand Municipal Building Study 06[14/94- Page 2 into their building. At that time only minor construction will take place in the police department. The Fire Department with its urgent need for a new station is second on the plan. Finally, the Police Station will be completed. The implementation schedule, chart and graphs have been enclosed for you to review. 3. Is a ioint police station with Foxboro a viable option? This question was discussed during an earlier meeting with Arthur ONeill, Acting Police Chief, present. He discussed his feelings on a joint facility. At this time the MBFSC feels that there are too many unknowns to recommend it. First of all, we don't know what the implementation plan is or when it would take place. Secondly, we are unable to assess the cost of the "joint" facility. It was decided during the study that it would be in the best interest of the Town to have our own police facility. The Police Department would be a good fit for the present Town Hall. 4. How long will the new Town Hallin the Park Row School meet our needs? In accordance with the architect's assessment, we would have enough space to meet the needs of the Town for the full growth period. 5. What are the limitations of expanding the present Town Hall? This is a simple question with a relatively complex answer because the future Police Station location must be factored into this scenario. Therefore, when evaluating the limitations of the existing Town Hall one needs to keep in mind the benefits it may provide without expansion. The existing Town Hall and the Park Row School were evaluated to determine if either one was appropriate for use as a fixture Town Hall or Police Station. The result of that analysis for various reasons clearly indicates that the best fit is for Town Hall to move into the Park Row with future expansion into Memorial Hall and for the police Station to expand within the existing footprint of the current Town Hall. The main reasons for this recommendation are as follows: The future Town Hall space needs are about 18,000 to 26,000 square feet and the Police Station needs are about 10,000 to 12,000 square feet. These area requirements match efficiently into the Park Row School and Memorial Hall combination and the existing Town Hall. The existing Town Hall, while an aesthetically pleasing building, does not allow for a second floor to be constructed in the open arch ceilings and has several interior space inefficiencies by today's standards. Thus to meet area requirements for a future Town Hall more than double the existing footprint area would need to be provided in the way of expansion. 5/l'OV Municipal Building Study-WI4194w Page 3 To move the Police Station over to Park Row would bean inefficient use of that space as the school is much larger than is necessary for the Police Station. Additionally, it would be difficult to construct the required cell block area within the layout of the school. If the existing Town Hall building was expanded then additional parking areas would be lost and parking requirements for the future Town Hall would be significantly inadequate. Parking conditions today are marginal. Lastly, if all the points noted above were put aside, the cost to renovate and expand the existing Town hall versus renovate and modify the Park Row School and Memorial Hall combination is a minimum of 25 percent more costly as more new construction would be required. It was the unanimous opinion of the MMC that the information that has been put forth in the Feasibility Study, completed by Preservation Partnership, should be implemented.