AGENDA #5e

 

TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL

Status of Capital Projects

June 30, 2004

 

This report provides information on the status of capital projects on which Town staff are now working.  Projects are classified as “Completed,” “Under Construction” and “In Planning.”

 

Completed

 

Fire Training Building Renovation

 

Project: Refurbishment of spalled concrete floor and installation of heat resistant tile inside building used for training fires.

 

Budget: $45,000 from CIP.  Final contract cost for the project was $43,122.

 

Status:  The project was completed during January 2004.

 

Police Headquarters Parking Lot Renovation

 

Project:  Selective base repairs, resurfacing, repair and re-striping of asphalt parking lot at Police Headquarters

 

Budget:  $50,000, CIP funds.

 

Status: Informal bid was awarded and construction was completed during 2nd quarter.

 

Hargraves Center/A.D. Clark Bath House Renovations

 

Project:  Perform extraordinary maintenance identified in 2000 Facilities Assessment Study, including, at the Center, replacement of interior surfaces, of electrical, heating and air conditioning systems, and plumbing fixtures; adding Americans with Disabilities Act accessible entrance and restroom facilities, and repairing the roof; and at the bath house, raising the roof, adding day lighting, adding ADA accessible entrances and restroom facilities and replacement of all surfaces and mechanical equipment; and replacement of mechanical equipment and re-pouring the floor of the pump house.

 

Budget:  $1,200,000 to be financed over 10 years included in CIP from 2001- 2010.

 

Status:  Work began in April 2002.  Change orders adding significant work, such as removal of asbestos, replacement of siding, roofing membrane, water-damaged sheathing and window flashing on the Center, more extensive reconstruction of the bath house, and more repairs on the pool, extended the completion date to March 31.  The punch list walk through on March 31 identified several relatively minor issues which delayed full occupancy.  However, the building was stocked with furniture in April and the grand opening was held on May 10.  The pool opened as usual on Memorial Day Weekend.

 

There are minor warranty items to be fixed when the swimming season is over.  The contractor has completed the punch list items and submitted his final payment request.  Final costs are $1,200,000.

 

Homestead Gym Siding

 

Project:  Re-siding of wood-frame building on Homestead Road, acquired as part of the development of Vineyard Square.  Some drainage work is included to improve positive drainage.

 

Budget:  $33,000 from the rent paid by the firm that uses the building for gymnastics classes.  The contract for siding replacement is $28,200.

 

Status:  The siding work is completed.  In the fall of 2004 planting season, Town forces will re-grade and landscape the area around the building to improve drainage and appearance.

 

Roof Replacement Projects

 

Project:  Replacement of the roofs of the Town Hall, Fire Station #2 (Hamilton Road) and Fire Station #3 (Elliott Road and Franklin Street).

 

Budget:  $300,000, to be financed over 10 years.

 

Status: Bids totaling $307,700 for all three roofs were opened in October; debt service requirements will be within the budget.  All three of these projects are now completed.

 

Sidewalks

 

Fordham Boulevard:  Contract project on west side of roadway, from Days Inn to Willow Drive.  Approximately 700 linear feet of sidewalk was constructed at a final cost of $89,000, within the budget of $100,000 from 1996 Street bond funds.  Work was completed in March 2004.

 

Legion Road:  In-house project on south side between Clover and Ephesus Church Roads; and between Scarlette Drive and Martin Luther King, Jr. Street.  Both sections were completed by Public Works crews at a cost of $68,000, the original budget.

 

Pritchard Park Renovations

 

Project:  Comprehensive renovations of 15-unit public housing neighborhood on Pritchard Drive Extension.

 

Budget:  $960,700, including HUD’s Capital Grant and Community Development Block Grant funds. 

 

Status:   Site work, including demolition, concrete, and rehabilitation work in the first phase of 6 units began in June.  Progress was delayed due to long fabrication time for windows and delivery of other components. The first phase of six dwelling units was completed and occupied in January, the second phase of four units in mid-April.  However, a unit in the third phase suffered fire damage at the end of March, and negotiations with the insurance company and contractors delayed completion of the project.  Occupancy of all units except the one damaged by fire was completed by September 5, and the last unit was occupied on October 16.  Duke Power and the contractor completed installation of yard lighting and associated site work in July 2004.  The renovation work at Pritchard Park is complete.

 

The total cost for the project was $803,040.

 

Under Construction

 

Dry Creek Trail

 

Project:  Land acquisition north and south of I-40 and construction of a trail from East Chapel Hill High School to Providence Road.  Another branch of the trail is proposed to connect Chapel Hill and Durham trail systems on land north of I-40.

 

Budget:  $415,430, including a $200,000 grant from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, National Trails Grants totaling $100,430, payment in lieu of open space funds of $10,800 and 1996 Open Space bonds.

 

Status:  Sterling Ridge Apartments completed a trail segment from Providence Road to Erwin Ridge subdivision.  Eagle Scouts have cleared a trail corridor from East Chapel Hill School to Perry Creek Road.  Stairs and boardwalk have been constructed between San Juan Road and Perry Creek Road using a National Trails Program grant and Eagle Scout volunteers.  Bids for a parking area off Erwin Road exceeded available funds.  Work continues on two separate portions of this project:

 

 

 

All necessary properties south of I-40 have been acquired.  A 31-acre parcel south of I-40 on Erwin Road was acquired in 2003, across from the 35-acre parcel acquired in 2000.

 

Negotiations with owners of two parcels north of I-40 have so far been unsuccessful.  However, acquisition of a third parcel north of I-40 was completed in 2003, using Clean Water Management Funds and 1996 bond funds. 

Police Headquarters Renovations

 

Project:  Repair of the leaks and the damage caused by them, replacement of roof and roof mounted air conditioning units and any other work needed to preserve the public’s asset.

 

Budget:  $700,000 of 1996 Public Safety Bonds.

 

Status:  Initial contract of $500,000 provided for repair and renovation, completing the waterproofing of all foundation and basement walls, replacement of the roof and of the air conditioning units on the roof and repair of floor and wall surfaces on the first floor.  This work was completed in May 2002 except for the final check of HVAC system which was concluded during the hot weather in the summer of 2004.

 

The remaining $200,000 provided for additional work on a safer configuration of the magistrate’s office, building security, renovation of the public lobby, and reorganizing space previously used for processing and storing paper records. Informal bids were opened in November, and a contract was executed with Jacobsen Construction for all of the above mentioned work.  Construction on this follow-up project was scheduled to begin on January 5, 2004; however, construction was halted soon after it began to allow the designer sufficient time to develop plans and specifications for changes requested by the Police Department.  Construction resumed in mid-April.  Substantial completion of work was achieved on August 13, 2004.  We expect work to be completed on punch list items by August 27, 2004.   Concurrently with the completion of the punch list for the construction, we will be replacing the carpet in the lobby and the wall paper in the administrative offices.  We expect the carpet and wall paper work to be completed by August 31st.

 

IFC Shelter

 

Project:  This project includes extraordinary and deferred maintenance as defined in 2000 Facilities Assessment Study, with emphasis on exterior repairs necessary to protect the structure.

 

Budget:   $450,000 to be financed over 10 years included in CIP from 2003/04– 2013/14.

 

Status:  The 2003/04 – 2013/14 CIP included financing for $450,000.  We awarded a construction contract to D.W. Ward and we issued our “Notice to Proceed” on April 22, 2004.  Change orders have increased the contractual amount to D.W. Ward to $387,687.  We expect construction to be completed by August 31, 2004.   

 

In Planning

 

Airport Gardens Renovations

 

Project:  Comprehensive renovations of 26-unit public housing neighborhood on Airport Road, including drainage and site work, replacement of windows, doors, cabinets, appliances, etc.

 

Budget:  Approximately $1,000,000 is now available for Phase I.  Phase I funding will depend on the cost of emergency repairs needed at Trinity Court neighborhood.  Federal funds available in October 2004 are anticipated to be sufficient to complete the last 8 apartments and the site work.

 

Status:   Architect was selected and began schematic design work in January 2003, with attention paid to site work and drainage issues as well as renovation of interior of apartments. Design drawings and bid package were ready by mid-May and were held in abeyance until September 2, when news of the amount of the next Capital Fund Grant was received from HUD.  Construction bids were opened in December 2003.  In April 2004, the Council rejected all bids for this project and directed the renovation work to be re-bid.  In June 2004, the construction bids were re-opened and the Council awarded a contract to renovate 18 of the 26 apartments.  The contractor began renovation work on 10 of the 18 apartments in August 2004.  Renovation work is expected to be completed in May 2005.

 

Aquatics Center

 

Project:  Construction of an aquatic facility on a site in Homestead Park.  The Council-approved conceptual plan includes a competition pool, warm water pool, locker rooms, office, and classroom and reception area.

 

Budget:  Total of $5,555,000, including $1,200,000 from 1996 Town Park bonds and $855,000 from 1997 and $3,500,000 from 2001 Orange County Park and Recreation bonds.

 

Status:  On March 5, 2001, the Council adopted the conceptual Plan and requested that the Board of County Commissioners release the remaining $855,000 in 1997 bonds.  A committee of elected officials from both jurisdictions developed a process for joint development of the Aquatics Center and governing bodies agreed to it March 3 and 5, 2003.  The Council resolved on June 23 to request the Board of County Commissioners to approve the concept plan and follow the same process as the one in use for the joint development of the Southern Community Park.  The Commissioners approved the concept plan on October 1, 2003.

 

GGA Architects, the firm that had developed the concept plan, is now under contract for design services. A public forum was held in January to solicit ideas from swimmers. The Committee also directed the Public Arts Commissions of both the Town and the County to develop a way to incorporate public art into the planning process for the center. That process is underway.

 

The architect is currently preparing a Special Use Permit application and building design schematics. The Council has granted expedited processing for the project.

 

Booker Creek Linear Park

 

Project:  Construction of a park and trail along Booker Creek from East Franklin Street to Fordham Boulevard, between Eastgate and Village Plaza commercial areas.

 

Budget: $447,100, including $349,700 from North Carolina Department of Transportation, $10,000 from the developer of the Plaza Theaters, and a local match of $87,400.

 

Status:  Rose Engineering completed the study needed for the No Rise Certificate from FEMA, and found that the original concept plan was not feasible.  The Council approved relocation of the pedestrian bridge in June 2002 and plans have been revised.  Two of the three necessary easements have been acquired.  After considerable study and discussion of alternatives, it was decided to delete the bridge and route pedestrians across the stream along the shoulder of Elliot Road.  Approval of this change by DOT was received in September 2003, and first round Zoning Compliance Permit drawings have been prepared.  A necessary easement from the Federated Theaters developers has not yet been received.  The project can be bid once the easement has been acquired.

 

Burning Tree Drive Drainage Project

 

Project:  Alleviation of flooding of a private residence on Burning Tree Drive during heavy rain.

 

Budget:  $67,625 of Street bond funds.

 

Status:  In-house design of the replacement of undersized storm drainage pipes under Burning Tree Drive and broadening of channel downstream was completed and reviewed by OWASA for necessary replacement of segments of a water and sewer line.  Easement from one neighbor was available, but extensive negotiations with another neighbor did not result in the necessary easement.  Therefore, the staff studied the feasibility and cost of providing an earthen (dry flood proofing) landscaped berm to protect the house from flooding during certain rain events. Property owner agreement, surveying, preliminary plans, cost estimates and a feasibility study have been completed; final plans, permitting and bid documents will be completed by the end of the fourth quarter.  Construction by a private contractor, pending receipt of an acceptable bid, is anticipated during the fall of 2004.

 

 

Generator for Town Hall

 

Project:  Installation of a generator capable of providing the power necessary to operate Town Hall during emergencies.

 

Budget:  $130,000, to be financed over 10 years, from CIP funds.

 

Status:  First engineering report presenting three options for location was prepared in April, and one option was selected for full development.  Changes in personnel of the contract engineering firm caused delay.  The consulting engineer initially projected a cost of about $150,000; however, upon completion of the detailed design work they have presented a new, much higher cost estimate.  We opened bids for this project on April 14, 2004.  The apparent low bid was for $354,000.  We rejected this bid as unaffordable within our budget and are attempting to redesign the project with a reduced scope of work.  The Council Committee on Sustainability, Energy and Environment will be reviewing options for proceeding.

 

Generator for Police Headquarters

 

Project:  Installation of a generator capable of providing the power necessary to operate the Police Headquarters.

 

Budget:  $110,000, to be financed over 10 years from CIP funds.

 

Status:  This project is being designed and bid in conjunction with the Town Hall generator project.  We opened bids for this project on April 14, 2004.  The apparent low bid was for $232,000.  We rejected this bid as unaffordable within our budget and are attempting to redesign the project with a reduced scope of work.  The Council Committee on Sustainability, Energy and Environment will be reviewing options for proceeding.

 

Homestead Gym Site Building Removal

 

Project:  Remove old dilapidated wood buildings on the 14 acre Town-owned property.

 

Budget:  $6,000 from the rent paid by the firm that uses the building for gymnastics classes. 

 

Status:  We have submitted an application for an administrative Zoning Compliance Permit because of the work occurring near a Resource Conservation District.

 

Morgan Creek Greenway

 

Project:  Construction of paved trail along Morgan Creek from Merritt Pasture on US 15-501 to Smith Level Road.

 

Budget:  $89,375, 80% federal funding through NCDOT, 20% CIP for concept planning only.

 

Status:  The Conceptual Plan Committee convened in November 2002, held a public forum June 10, 2003 and then suspended work while waiting for revised flood mapping. We have recently learned that the State will not re-map this section of the stream. We are preparing to begin work on developing a new flood model so that the design process can continue.

 

Old Post Office Capital Repairs Project

 

Project:  Renovation of exterior portions of the Old Post Office Building.  The original scope of work was for both exterior and possibly interior portions of the building. 

 

Budget:  $1,500,000, to be financed over an as-yet-undetermined period of time.  This budget assumes the entire scope of work.  The revised scope will result in a reduced budget, which is unknown until the design is completed.

 

Status:  The project is being delayed so as to allow earlier renovation of the Community Center.  We will replace the roof and make some immediate repairs to the Post Office to protect the building’s integrity until the major renovation can occur.

 

Pritchard Park

 

Project:  Construction of a primarily passive park on the 34 acres of Town-owned land surrounding the library, including trails, small playground and a sculpture garden.

 

Budget:  $164,000, including a $100,000 gift from the Pritchard family.

 

Status:  A committee consisting of representatives of the Library Board, Public Arts Commission, and Parks and Recreation Commission worked with Town and Hotel Siena staff, and all agreed on a recommendation to the Council, based on conceptual plan adopted by the Council in November 2000.  The Council approved a proposed financial agreement with the Siena on November 25, 2002.  A memorandum of understanding between the Town and the Siena was held in abeyance until the Land Use Management Ordinance was enacted so the impact of regulations related to the Resource Conservation District would become clear.  A memorandum of understanding was then developed, but the owner of the Siena decided in June, 2003, that he wanted to proceed with a different project.  He agreed to have a proposal ready for the Council after the summer, and later decided that the proposal would be in the form of a Special Use Permit application.

 

The applicant recently requested that the Town enter into another round of discussions. The Council authorized the formation of a second Pritchard Park Arts Garden Committee.  The Committee has drafted a recommendation that it expects to present to the Council in September 2004.

 

In the meantime, trails that circumnavigate the site have been built by Eagle Scout candidates, and the Audubon Road stub-out roadbed has been removed, seeded, and landscaped.

 

Sidewalks

 

South Columbia Street: Revised design for street improvements by NCDOT includes a sidewalk on the west side of the street from Mason Farm Road to Purefoy Road.  NCDOT will construct a new sidewalk subject to a municipal agreement for local match funding.  The preliminary cost estimate is $87,000.  The Town would need to execute a municipal agreement and set aside $35,000 for the 40% local match, possibly from 2004 bonds.  The projected date of construction is 2007.

 

Airport Road:  Sidewalk on the east side of the road, from Timber Hollow Court to Homestead Road.  Municipal Agreement sent to NCDOT for execution in April, 2004 which would allow us to receive $200,000 in Direct Allocation funds. Local matching funds of $50,000 are budgeted.  Project will likely be built by contract.  Project should be completed within 2 years of execution of the agreement.  We are currently waiting for recommendations from the Highway Safety Research Center which contracted with the Town to undertake the Airport Road Corridor Study.  The results of the study are to be reported to the Council in September.

 

West Rosemary Street:  Funding of $25,000 was originally allocated for a segment on the north side of the street, from IFC Community House to Church Street.  That project, however, has been delayed by difficulties in acquiring several easements and an attempted redesign.  Community Development Block Grant funding will be used to fill in a sidewalk on the south side of Rosemary Street, between Roberson and Graham Streets. The project is being designed and we expect to begin construction using Town crews in the second quarter of FY 2004-05.

 

Weaver Dairy Road:  Sidewalk from Cedar Fork Trail to Kingston Drive, along the south side of Weaver Dairy Road. Budget includes $180,000 of 1996 Street Bond funds.  Funds are being held at least until NCDOT’s road improvement project is designed and cost estimates are made.  The projected date of construction is 2007.

 

Southern Community Park

 

Project: Community Park to include three soccer fields, basketball court, inline hockey court, spray park, picnic facilities, woodland trails, paved paths, play areas, dog park, parking and site for a community center.

 

Budget:  Land was purchased with $1,090,000 from 1986 Town of Chapel Hill Parks bonds and $658,000 from 1989 Town of Chapel Hill Parks bonds.  The Park development budget is funded from $895,000 of 1997 Orange County Bond funds and $2 million of 2001 Orange County bond funds.

 

Status:  Fifty acres were acquired in 1988 for $1,050,000 and 30 acres acquired in 1990 for $679,000.  Conceptual plan was approved by the Town Council and forwarded to the County Commissioners on January 26, 2002.  On March 5, 2003, the Board of County Commissioners approved the conceptual plan and a process for the planning and construction of projects that include County bond funds.  The Project Planning Committee selected OBS Landscape Architects on August 25.  On October 1, 2003, the Board of County Commissioners agreed to spend 1% of County bond funds on public art and asked the Public Arts Commissions of the Town and the County to develop a process for doing so.

 

On Dec. 8, the Project Planning Committee agreed to move the dog park from the southernmost tip of the park to a spot just south of Dogwood Acres Drive and to realign the soccer fields to a north-south direction to improve playability in the afternoon sun.

 

The contract with OBS Landscape Architects has been executed.  A Special Use Permit application was submitted in July 2004.  The Council has granted expedited processing for the project.


 

Chapel Hill Community Center

 

Project: Perform extraordinary maintenance identified in 2000 Facilities Assessment Study, including replacing the gym floor, the building’s roof and pool deck, reconfiguring the pump room and renovating the mechanical and electrical systems.

 

Budget:  $1,440,000 for construction and $150,000 for Design work, to be financed over a 10 year period with CIP funds starting in 2005.

 

Status:  The town will be issuing Request for Qualifications (RFQ’s) in the first quarter of the 2004-2005 fiscal year and we expect to begin design work in the second quarter.

 

Streetscape


Project:  Improve sidewalks, street trees, street furniture and street lighting along Town Center streets, including Franklin and Rosemary Streets, from east of Henderson Street to Merritt Mill Road, and the connecting North Columbia Street.  Our intention is to implement in increments the plan adopted by the Council in 1993, some of it being done by developers of adjacent land and some by Town forces.

 

Budget:  Of the $1,000,000 in 1996 Street Bond proceeds allocated, approximately $828,000 has been expended or encumbered, and $125,000 of the remaining approximately $172,000 allocated for pending signal system improvements.  The balance remaining is approximately $47,000.

 

Status:  Reconstructed sidewalk segments have been completed on the north side of West Franklin Street from Carolina Cleaners to Ham’s, from the multi-tenant retail building housing Vespa’s to Church Street, and from Bruegger’s Bagels to Columbia Street; on the south side of West Franklin Street from Merritt Mill Road to Roberson Street, adjacent to 411 West Franklin Street, and adjacent to the University Baptist Church; on both sides of North Columbia Street from Franklin Street to Rosemary Street; on the north side of East Franklin Street from Columbia Street to the Presbyterian Church; and on the south side of East Franklin Street from Columbia Street to McCorkle Place.

 

Custom street and pedestrian lighting improvements have been installed on the north side of West Franklin Street from Carolina Cleaners to Ham’s and on both sides of East Franklin Street from Columbia Street to Henderson Street, and both sides of North Columbia Street from Franklin Street to Rosemary Street.

 

On October 27, 2003, the Council authorized the Town Manager to allocate $125,000 to supplement the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s proposed downtown signal system improvement project thereby permitting the installation of single-arm mast arm signal poles at three downtown intersections.  These improvements, at the West Franklin Street/Church Street, East Franklin Street/Henderson Street and North Columbia Street/Rosemary Street intersections were originally scheduled to be completed by the first quarter of FY 2004 – 05.  The Franklin Street/Church Street and North Columbia/Rosemary Street intersections are now scheduled to be completed in the third quarter.  The remaining intersection has been delayed due to rising cost estimates and we now anticipate that NCDOT will bid the project in the second quarter of this fiscal year.

 

On  April 14, 2004, the Council authorized the Town Manager to allocate $95,000 for custom street and pedestrian lighting improvements on the north side of West Franklin Street from the multi-tenant retail building housing Vespa’s to Church Street and on the south side of West Franklin Street adjacent to University Baptist Church.  A specialty lighting request has been submitted to Duke Power Company and we believe these improvements will be completed by the second quarter of FY 2004 – 05.

 

Town Operations Facility

 

Project:  Acquisition of land for and design and development of operations facilities for the Public Works Department, Transportation Department, the Police Vehicle Impoundment Lot and Public Housing Maintenance.

 

Budget:   The Council approved a budget of $42,926,527.  The total budget for architect and engineering fees is $3,823,792.

 

Status:   Eighty-eight acres north of Eubanks Road, west of I-40 and east of Millhouse Road, were acquired and financed from 2001 through 2003 for a total capital cost of $1,436,000.  An additional 4.1 acres west of Millhouse Road were acquired in June to allow for necessary realignment of the road.  The cost of that purchase was $68,747.

 

The designers worked on the schematic design throughout the second quarter, completing their work on schedule by March 31.  The next phase of work includes detailed design and preparation of construction drawings and bid documents.  We expect to begin preliminary site work by the fourth quarter of the calendar year.

 

The Town applied for a Special Use Permit on November 18, and the Council approved it on April 14.  The next regulatory step is applying for a zoning compliance permit, which is currently under review by Town staff.