Title
Design and Construction of the One-Stop Homeless Assistance Center "GRACE Marketplace" (B)
This is a request for the City Commission to approve the Preliminary Site Plan and Floor Plan in the design of the GRACE Marketplace that will be located within the vicinity of 820 NW 53rd Avenue, Gainesville, Florida 32653.
Explanation
It is anticipated that on or about December 13, 2010 the City will enter into an agreement with Charles Perry Construction, Inc. ("CPC") for the Design-Build of the GRACE Marketplace. The approximate 13,020 SF Building, which is 1,000 SF larger than the Request For Proposals (RFP) requirement, will allow for the operation of a multi-purpose homeless assistance center that is to be located within the vicinity of 820 NW 53rd Ave. The center will be built to meet 120 MPH wind speeds and strive to achieve a United States Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED "Silver" level certification.
The conceptual design for the building was to comply with the design criteria set forth in the RFP, whereby the building's minimum requirements contained the following: 15 bedrooms that would house up to 60 residences (4 per room), a kitchen area that could serve a minimum of 500 meals per day, a dayroom, common areas, five offices, a laundry room, and additional support rooms necessary for the facility to become operational upon completion.
The Design-Build Team, which consists of Ponikvar & Associates, their consultants, and Charles Perry Construction, began the design process by holding three (3) charrettes to flush out "What Is" and "What Is Not" the GRACE Marketplace. Prior to the charrettes, invitations were sent out for participation by organizations that are currently involved in the 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness. Representatives from the following organizations/agencies participated in the discussion: Gainesville/Alachua County Office on Homelessness, Alachua County Housing Authority, and the Alachua County Poverty Reducti...
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