PURPOSE

To request authority for staff to proceed with the Construction Documents Phase and development of the Guaranteed Maximum Price for the Community Services Building Project

BACKGROUND

Staff presented the Design Development Phase program for the Community Services Building (CSB) Project to City Council on October 5, 2004 seeking program acceptance and subsequent direction to proceed with the Construction Documents Phase.  However, the City Council requested that a special design study session, open to the public, be scheduled to address exterior building and landscape design concerns identified at this Council meeting. 

A special design study session was held November 4, 2004 with all City Council Members present.  Leo A. Daly (Daly), the project architect, presented an overview of its design development process since re-starting the project on November 6, 2003.  The presentation generally included:

1. An overview and objective critique of the previous exterior building design completed by WWCOT through its design development phase.

2. An objective overview of WWCOT�s interior design circulation concerns.

3. A summary of Daly�s primary design improvement changes to the CSB that included:

   1. Relocation of the atrium to the building center

   2. Reconfiguration of the stone veneer from the top to the bottom of the building

   3. Related interior circulation modifications

   4. Addition of exterior canopies at the formal and secondary entrances

   5. Use of pre-cast concrete in lieu of cement plaster

4. An overview of the existing building environment within the civic center, including a brief design discussion of the police/fire headquarters, city hall, and the four story Cusamano building currently under construction as well as an overview of the planned Civic Center Master Plan including the new Central Library, multi-level parking structure, and a plaza area.

5. A comparison of existing relevant commercial and civic buildings in Pasadena, Santa Monica, Chicago, New York, and Europe that portrayed design features and characteristics commensurate with the design expression Daly considered appropriate for the proposed CSB.

6. A more in-depth presentation of exterior building design elements for the CSB that included:

   1. Expressions of the formal and secondary entries and canopies

   2. The fountain element at the main formal entrance

   3. Horizontal and vertical articulation of windows, mullions, and interior stair well

   4. Materials, finishes, and color palettes, and

   5. Landscape program.

7. Open dialogue of presentation between Daly, Council Members, and staff.

ANALYSIS

The significance of the Community Services Building�s exterior design and how it melds into the future and existing fabric of the civic center environment cannot be underestimated.  The additional collaborative effort between the Design Team, Oversight Committee, and the City Council effectually addressed important �design signatures� for the building�s exterior design. 

The results listed below represent the primary concerns that City Council Members identified at the November 4, 2004 special design study session for the CSB.  These concerns were addressed at a follow-up special design study session held November 16, 2004.  Based on the City Council�s acceptance of the proposed modifications presented at this follow-up design study session, staff maintains it is now prepared to move forward with the Construction Documents (CD) Phase and to develop the Guaranteed Maximum Price.   Minor design issues will be resolved through the CSB Oversight Committee during the CD Phase effort and Council Members will be apprised through normal protocol channels.

1. A warmer material, finish, and color palette for the exterior limestone, window mullions, cement plaster, and metal panels.  

2. The green tinted glass.

3. The water fountain design envelope was clearly defined at the main entry area.  Although further detailed design is required, it was agreed that the fountain shall be active with articulated noise and movement, rather than passive. 

4. A black granite accent material for use around the primary entrances and other openings.

5. The main and secondary entrances enhanced with hard-scape and soft-scape modifications.

6. A bas relief to be considered further at Third Street and Orange Grove main entrance to provide an additional design link to City Hall.

7. The City seal etched into the large single window at the south elevation.

8. An alternative material and design for the window above the double doors at the community room, south building elevation.

9. No changes to the primary building set backs along Third Street and Orange Grove Avenue were made based on the width sufficiency in the current design.

SCHEDULE

Based on City Council�s approval to commence the Construction Documents Design Phase efforts, the following milestone activities are anticipated.

1. Construction Document Completion                                                     May 2005

2. Construction Document and GMP Approvals                                        July 2005

3. Commence Construction                                                                       August 2005

4. Complete Construction                                                                          October 2006

5. Occupancy                                                                                             December 2006

The additional time expended to address the building�s exterior design aesthetics and obtain authorization to proceed with the CD Phase caused the occupancy date to slip approximately two months from its previous October 2006 occupancy date to December 2006. 

FISCAL IMPACT

As reported at the October 5, 2004 City Council meeting, the CSB Project budget was projected to be $28.1M or $3.56 above the currently approved $24.54M budget.  This $3.56M budget increase is attributable to construction market escalations.  No changes or additional recommendations to the fiscal impact report provided at the previous City Council meeting are being provided herein as a result of these minor design considerations.

RECOMMENDATION

Authorize staff to proceed with the Construction Documents Phase and development of the Guaranteed Maximum Price for the Community Services Building Project

PAF 3.2

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