Title
Preliminary Design Approval of the Alachua County/City of Gainesville Senior Recreation Center (B)
This is a request for the City Commission to approve the preliminary site plan, and floor plan in the design of the Alachua County/City of Gainesville Senior Recreation Center within Northside Park located at 5701 NW 34th Street, Gainesville, FL 32653
Explanation
On February 18th, 2010 the City entered into an agreement with WG Mills for the Design Build of the Alachua County/City of Gainesville Senior Recreation Center. The approximate 17,000 sf recreation center will be located within the existing Northside Park off of NW 34th Street close to the intersection of US 441. The center will be built to meet 120 MPH wind speeds, able to be used as a shelter, and achieve a USGBC LEED "Silver" level certification. The building will accommodate staff from ElderCare of Alachua County who will oversee the programming and operations of the facility as well as a large multi purpose room, a fitness area, several classroom style rooms, a library, a billiards room, and various other multi use areas to promote socialization and recreation for seniors in the community. Per Administrative Procedure No. 22A, the preliminary design is being presented to the City Commission for approval.
The design team has held a meeting with members of the Concerned Citizens for Older Adults (and related folks in the Senior Health Care field), two neighborhood workshops and a special meeting with District 1 citizens to gain a large range of input from the community. Several attendees have volunteered to serve on the design team. Though none of the volunteers were within a 400' range to be considered "neighborhood" representatives, they will still be included on the design team. The largest input received was related to the programs to be held at the Senior Center. Other input received was related to the concern to continue operations of the Frisbee Golf Course, the need for new benches, and the ability of the center for future expansion, and multi-use. A major concern for the seniors who attended the meetings was a concern for close parking with a sense of safety and comfortable seating in the center. As you will see in the presentation by the design team, a floor plan and site plan is being submitted that best addresses every possible suggestion while balancing the budget, LEED goals, and schedule restraints. (In accordance with the MOU with the State of Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the City of Gainesville, we have agreed to complete this project no later than December 31, 2011. In order to meet this deadline the design team will need to submit a site plan to the City of Gainesville Planning Department before the 100% presentation to the City Commission.) After City Commission approval, the architect will continue with the site plans and start construction drawings for review by the City Commission at the 30% stage.
Fiscal Note
This agenda item has no fiscal impact unless the City Commission recommends major changes to the building design. Funding for the project is through a State of Florida Grant with Elder Affairs, and City and County Wild Spaces Public Places funding.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) approve the preliminary design and instruct the architect to start construction drawings for review by the City Commission at the 30% stage; and 2) allow the design team to submit the site plans to the City of Gainesville Planning Department.
Alternative Recommendation A: The City Commission approve the preliminary design with suggestions and instruct the architect to start construction drawings for review by the City Commission at the 30% stage; and 2) allow the design team to submit the site plans to the City of Gainesville Planning Department.
Alternative Recommendation B: The City Commission reject the recommendation and direct staff to obtain a new design plan.