AGENDA #4j
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to: |
Mayor and Town Council |
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from: |
Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager |
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subject: |
Final Peer Review Report from Dean Marvin Malecha |
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date: |
November 19, 2007 |
The purpose of this report is to transmit the final report on the peer review sessions led by Dean Marvin Malecha for the design of the Lot 5 project (please see Attachment 1).
In 2005, Marvin Malecha, Dean of the College of Design at North Carolina State University, agreed to undertake a peer review process to give constructive critique and feedback on preliminary architectural designs for the project, and to provide advice and criticism on the design of the public space (please see letter in Attachment 2). Work was done on a pro bono basis.
Dean Malecha conducted ten sessions over a two year period with representatives of Ram Development Company’s design team. Dean Malecha also met periodically with the Town’s Negotiating Committee, and last made a report to the Council on February 27, 2006.
On May 7, 2007, the Council authorized an honorarium of $5,000 to North Carolina State University in accordance with the original letter of agreement. The funds have been deposited into the Barbara and George Malecha Prague Scholarship Fund (please see Attachment 3).
In 2007, Dean Malecha held two final peer review sessions on the detailed design plans for the Lot 5 site. In his concluding comments, the Dean reflects on the process of conducting the ten sessions. He states,
“Throughout this process I have observed the evolution of a project that I believe will be a substantial enhancement of the ‘town’ experience…This project establishes a new development pattern of the town center. It projects a density that will bring new life to the neighborhood and contribute significantly to the vitality of Franklin Street.”
Ram Development Company has used the results of these sessions as it develops final plans for review by the Town in its role as owner and in its role as regulator. We expect that Ram will be submitting architectural drawings soon for the Town to approve as Ram’s contractual partner under the Development Agreement. In addition, Ram is proceeding in the Town’s regulatory review process to submit plans for zoning compliance and building permits. The artist for the project, Mikyoung Kim, is using the results of these sessions to inform her work on the public spaces as well.
We recommend the Council adopt the attached resolution of appreciation for the work of Dean Marvin Malecha.