to: Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager
from: Lance Norris, Public Works Director
Kenneth C. Pennoyer, Director of Business Management
subject: Amber Alley Cost Overruns
date: January 12, 2009
The purpose of this report is to respond to a petition to the Town Council submitted by Strowd Building, LLC and Munch Family Properties, LLC requesting additional funding for cost overruns associated with Amber Alley renovations.
On June 25, 2008, the Town Council authorized the use of $59,879 in Streetscape Bond Funds to make improvements to Amber Alley, the alley which runs from Franklin Street, just east of the Bank of America building, to the alley adjacent to the Wallace Parking Plaza. On November 24, 2008, Strowd Building, LLC and Munch Family Properties, LLC petitioned the Town Council to consider paying additional expenses incurred during the renovation process, which were “created by additional requirements imposed by the Town’s Planning and Inspections Departments.” The cost overrun is $17,950 more than the $59,879 previously approved.
DISCUSSION
According to the petition, the primary additional expense included the design and installation of a trench drain down the center of the alleyway. This included testing the trench drain to ensure that it did not drain into OWASA’s or any other private sewer line. These drainage improvements were not a component of the original design’s estimate. In addition, some unanticipated expense was incurred for added sections of handrails recommended by the Inspections Department.
Attachment 3 is the Zoning Compliance Permit issued by the Town for demolition and improvements to Amber Alley, including “Conditions associated with Stormwater Management” (numbers 7-9) and “Condition associated with Building Code” (number 10). The conditions state that inlet protection must be provided around the stormwater drain and that the final design for the stairs at the north end of Amber Alley shall include a center handrail with two top and bottom horizontal bars. Strowd Building, LLC and Munch Family Properties, LLC complied with these conditions by installing a trench drain and testing it, and installing two additional railings for the handrails at both ends of the alley.
FISCAL NOTE
The cost of renovations exceeded the previously approved amount by $17,950. This amount can be funded with the Streetscape Bond Fund.
That the Council considers [the attached resolution, which considers] the petitioner’s request to pay additional expenses incurred in the Amber Alley renovations. The cost overruns of $17,950 can be funded with the Streetscape Bond Fund. Approval of this funding would represent a total project cost to the Town of $77,829.