Title
Downtown "Bo Diddley" Plaza: North Side Project Update and Guaranteed Maximum Price Proposal (B)
Explanation
At the October 2014 CRA meeting, CRA Staff gave a detailed presentation on the feedback received from internal and external stakeholders regarding the three design schemes for the improvements on the north side of the Downtown Plaza. The overarching goals of the concepts are to improve safety, visibility and accessibility on the Plaza and to increase its functionality and flexibility. The concept plan included three building additions to the north side including a green room addition with a water wall feature addressing University Avenue, a café on the northeast corner and an information kiosk on the northwest corner. All improvements would assist in supporting events, increasing programming and to help activate the Plaza during times when it's underutilized.
The Staff Recommendation was approved by the Board to move forward with the conceptual design of Scheme "3" for submission to the review process. Just short of three months later, the project has successfully made it through the Minor Development Plan review process and is pending a Final Development Order. The Plaza is set to be closed for construction at the beginning of March in anticipation of building permits being issued.
Simultaneously, Staff has been working with the design team to incorporate stakeholder feedback and CRA Board comments received. In this presentation, comments will be identified and addressed. Staff has also been working with Oelrich Construction on preparing and negotiating a Guaranteed Maximum Price proposal for construction of the improvements. Staff will speak to the scope of the project, the anticipated schedule and the proposed price for construction of the improvements. 90% construction documents can be downloaded at this Dropbox location: <https://www.dropbox.com/s/7ypt9zpsdc3lfwe/2015.0212%20Downtown%20Plaza%2090%25%20CD%27s.pdf?dl=0>
CRA Staff has also been at work addressing Board and community priorities such as Plaza operations and programming; including but not limited to park operations and policies, diversity in programming, number of events and daytime activities, rental policies, revenue potential, and adjacent parking. Work has begun on these efforts, and Staff will highlight findings to date. The Bethel Station Request for Proposals (RFP) is also wrapping up and CRA Staff will announce and introduce the successful restauranteur along with next steps for the new tenant who will occupy the building and desires to get up and running during construction.
Fiscal Note
Staff recommends funding from the following Downtown Redevelopment Area accounts: W201 Downtown Plaza ($918,011.25), W219 Acquisitions/Options ($133,998), W256 ED Finance ($423,313.78), W260 Community Partnerships ($150,000) and W736 Power District ($238,000). CRA has also applied during the last two cycles for CIP funding for the water wall feature in the amount of $269,500.
Recommendation
Downtown Redevelopment Advisory Board to the CRA Board: 1) Approve 90% construction documents as presented; and 2) Approve the Guaranteed Maximum Price proposal in an amount not to exceed $1,900,000.
CRA Executive Director to the CRA Board: 1) Approve the Guaranteed Maximum Price proposal from Oelrich Construction in the amount of $1,863,323.00, 2) Authorize the CRA Director to execute "Exhibit E", the official Notice to Proceed accepting the GMP for the Construction Management Contract; and 3) Authorize the CRA Executive Director to execute all necessary documents, as subject to review and approval by the CRA Attorney as to form and content.