Title
Depot Park Phase 2: Park Construction (B)
Explanation
Depot Park is comprised of a series of projects being implemented by multiple agencies to convert 32-acres of industrial wastelands into a premier urban park and sub-regional stormwater management facility. Depot Park, as a component of the Power District, is an important redevelopment project that aims to reutilize lands with the purpose of creating a unique recreational, cultural, and natural environment that works in tandem with economic development initiatives within the downtown core.
The original idea for Depot Park was first conceived in the mid-1980s. Since its inception, Depot Park has been on the cutting edge of environmental, engineering, cultural, and land resource planning. The citizen involvement for Depot Park has spanned decades and has influenced and resulted in the vision that is being implemented today. Depot Park is a designated Brownfield site, thus the first several phases of construction have focused on the remediation of soil and water contaminants in preparation for the land to be used as a public park. The first major construction project began in 2005 with the Former Gas Depot remediation and construction of the first stormwater ponds on the property. Between 2009 and 2014 progress continued including the remediation of the Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP) contaminants, remediation of non-MGP contaminates (i.e., arsenic), construction of the main stormwater pond, and rehabilitation of the historic Depot.
Now that the property has been remediated, the next step is to enter the construction phase for the park. At the June 2014 CRA Board meeting staff presented the 60% design for the park and was authorized to proceed with the construction documents. In September 2014, after the completion of the Stormwater Pond construction and non-MGP remediation projects, the site became available to be surveyed, thus enabling the design team to progress the drawings to 90%.
At the October 2014 CRA Board Meeting, the CRA Board requested staff to bring the drawings to the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Board (BPAB) for review and comment due to concerns expressed regarding the shared-use path and potential bicycle / pedestrian conflicts. Prior to meeting with the BPAB, the design team thoroughly reviewed turning movements from the perspective of the most limiting bicycle configurations that may utilize the park (i.e., Bicycles with trailers, the articulating "Gator Bike") and CRA staff met with various interested citizens to gain additional insight. As a result, adjustments to the design were made including round-a-bouts at path intersections, additional paving, and an access ramp onto the promenade from SE 4th Street. CRA staff presented the 90% plans to the BPAB on November 20, 2014. The BPAB expressed enthusiasm for the project and appreciation for the thoughtfulness in the design and recommended for the project to enter the construction phase.
The overall design for Depot Park is inspired by the story of Gainesville. Drawing from themes of history, culture, industry, art, ecology, and technology, Depot Park will be a game changer for Gainesville and will be a place where people of all ages can visit and enjoy a myriad of activities. Features planned for the park include a children's play area, interactive fountain, walking/biking trails, picnic pavilions, a park restroom, water's edge promenade, gateway entry features, lighting, landscaping and lawns. An amphitheater is also planned for the park; however, it is not included in this phase of park construction. Plans for the amphitheater will be brought in the near future to the board for discussion. The infrastructure for the park has been designed to be flexible and adaptable so it accommodates future uses as the park evolves over time, including supporting a future amphitheater. The complete 90% Construction Documents can be downloaded at the link provided below:
Oelrich Construction, Inc., the Construction Manager selected for Depot Park, has submitted a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the construction of the Depot Park Phase 2 in accordance with the 90% Construction Documents and Value Engineering (VE) items. The GMP for Depot Park Phase 2 is $5,998,804.00. The GMP represents the maximum amount that can be paid by the CRA, assuming no major changes in the scope of the project during construction (i.e., unknown and/or unforeseen conditions, major scope changes request by owner). If approved, the Construction Manager will then bid the projects and manage the bidding, selection, and construction of the various sub-contractors and trades. The opportunity does exist that the CRA may pay less than the GMP as the actual bids for trade packages may be less than proposed in the GMP, resulting in savings that are returned to the CRA. Additionally, if any contingency remains after project closeout, that amount is returned to the CRA. In contrast, if the actual bids for trade packages are more than proposed in the GMP, the CRA will not pay more than the amount in the GMP. Futhermore, the Construction Manager contract allows for the use of the "Owner's Direct Purchase Program" (ODP). The ODP permits the CRA to enter into direct purchase agreements with suppliers, which involves the opening of Purchase Orders directly with vendors allowing the CRA to take advantage of tax exempt status. Savings from the use of the ODP is estimated to be $120,000.
Should the park be approved to enter the construction phase, the following steps will ensue:
- A construction administration contract will be brought to the CRA Board in February 2015. This scope of work will include the design team in the construction phase of the project for construction meetings, submittal and shop drawing reviews, field orders, responses to requests for information from sub-contractors, pay application reviews, engineer supplemental instructions, weekly site meetings, final survey, permit close-out, etc.
- An update on the amphitheater will be brought to the CRA Board
- The Development Review Board will hear the project in February 2015 for the site permit
- The FDEP will review the project for permit approval (anticipated February 2015)
- The project will be advertised for bid by the Construction Manager
- Public involvement plans will be developed for the construction phase
- Construction timeframe estimated April 2015 - April 2016
- Park opens Spring 2016
Fiscal Note
Funding for this project has been designated and appropriated from several sources over several years and includes the following: Depot Park Tree Mitigation ($7,720.00), Public Works Department (for pond railing: $243,688), Misc. Grant Funds (for park trail: $362,344), 2005 City Internal Revenue Bond ($369,814), Campus Development Agreement ($1,000,000), Urban Development Action Grant ($1,167,866), and 2015 City Internal Revenue Bond ($3,500,000.00).
Recommendation
City Manager to the City Commission: 1) Approve the Depot Park Phase 2 90% Construction Documents, 2) Approve Oelrich Construction, Inc. Guaranteed Maximum Price of $5,998,804.00 to construct Depot Park Phase 2 and 3) Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents associated with the GMP, Owner Direct Purchase Program, and any other pertinent information subject to form and legality by the City Attorney.