AGENDA #4i

MEMORANDUM

TO:	Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager
FROM:	George Small, P.E., Engineering Director
SUBJECT:	Structural Analysis of Plaza Level of the Wallace Parking Facility
DATE:	May 5, 2008

PURPOSE

Adoption of the attached resolution would authorize the Town Manager to hire a consultant to perform a structural analysis and feasibility study of the plaza level of the Wallace Parking Facility to determine its suitability for the construction of new office/commercial space on top of the existing facility.

BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION

The Town has periodically received inquiries regarding alternative uses of the plaza (top) level of the Wallace Parking Facility since its completion in 1992.  Most recently, RAM Development Corporation considered the construction of multiple levels of residential/office construction on the existing facility; and KIDZU has inquired about construction of one or two stories of museum/office space on the top level of the facility.

The original design for the facility included basic structural and utility accommodations with the understanding that, at some point in the future, the top level could be used for parking and/or construction of one or two stories of light office and commercial space.  However, an analysis of the structural capacity of the top level relative to specific new construction or use(s) has not been performed to date.

Because the public plaza area is generally under-utilized by the Town, and in response to the inquiries we continue to receive regarding alternative uses of this space, we believe that it is in the Town’s interest to have the Wallace Parking Facility studied to determine the feasibility and impact(s) of adding one or two stories of office/commercial construction on top of the existing structure.

The objective of such a study would be to determine the extent and type of new construction, if any, that could occur on top of the parking facility without requiring extensive structural and/or other modifications to the existing structure.  We believe that such an analysis could be performed for a fee not to exceed $15,000.  If the Council wishes to proceed with this study, we recommend that the funding come from the Council’s contingency fund.

RECOMMENDATION

That the Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Town Manager to hire a consultant to perform a structural analysis and feasibility study of the plaza level of the Wallace Parking Facility to determine its suitability for the construction of new office/commercial space on top of the existing facility, using Council contingency funds to pay for the study.