HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-06-2002 - 3 JOINT MEETING
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS/
HILLSBOROUGH BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 6, 2002
Action Agenda
Item No.
SUBJECT: Justice Facilities Development
DEPARTMENT: Purchasing and Central Ssi PUBLIC HEARING: (YM) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Pam Jones(919)2952652
94-01 agenda abstract recommending the
facility planning process TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732.8181
Chapel Hill 9684501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 3362274W31
PURPOSE: To provide information regarding the evolution of the County's Master Plan for
the Downtown Hillsborough campus..
BACKGROUND: The Town Commissioners have previously received Information about the
Cepnty'6 master plan for noun facilities expansion. In order to provide up-to-date
infomtation, the County Commissioners have asked their consultant, Freeman-Whhe
Architects, to present an overview of the expanded master plan of the downtown
Court/Government Services Center campus during the joint TownfCounty work session on
May 6, 2002. The County Commissioners received the information during a work session on
April 30, 2002. The information is intended to provide a point of departure for discussion
about issues whose solutions may fall under the jurisdiction of the Town and/or other
regulatory agencies_
In order to lend historical perspective to the discussion, it is helpful to recall that the County
Commissioners have,for the past several years, been presented with various options for the
expansion of Justice Facilities. For a variety of mavens and who the support of the Town of
Hillsborough, expressed through a resolution from the Town, it was determined that the Court
facilities should remain in the downtown area rather than being relocated elsewhere.
Understanding that expansion of either the Courthouse or the Government Services Center
on this campus would have significant visual impact on the Town,the Boats commissioned
the master plan of the downtown site to determine the extent of development that could
occur. The completed master plan results, that included Justice Facilities expansion,
potential expansion of the Government Services Center and the required parking for the
expanded fecilifies was presented to the County Commissioners on April 30. 2002. lathe
context of the overall build out potential of the site, the Board expressed preference toward a
more sustainable level of development. Not surprisingly, even with the diminished scope of
development on the County's downtown campus, traffic and padding were identified as two
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important impacts of the expansion of the Court facilities. Solution to these Issues will likely
require the collaboration of the Town, County and the Department of Transportation.
The architect selection and programming process for the Judicial Facilities Expansion as
adopted by County Commissioners In September 2001 is also included for the Town Board's
information. In summary,the County will involve three separate groups in various aspects of
the project as follows:
• Arch@ed selection committee
•
External Programming committee
• Internal Programming committee
A complete description Is induced in the attached agenda material dated September 4,
2001,
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Funds for planning the project are available In the 2001-2011 Capital
Investment Plan. The proposed 2002-2012 CIP includes funding via alternative financing for
Phase I construction in FY 2004-2005.
RECOMMENDATION(S):The Manager recommends that the Boats receive the information
and provide comments as may be appropriate.
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ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: September4. 2001
Action Agenda
Item Ng.
SUBJECT: Hillsborough Judicial Facilities Expansion Planning Process
DEPARTMENT: Purchasing and Central PUBLIC HEARING: (TAN) No
Services
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Pam Jones(919)245-2652
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 1324181
Chapel Hill 968-0.501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-22742031
PURPOSE: To consider approving a planning process to be used in the Designlconstructlon of
the Justice Facilities Expansion Project.
BACKGROUND:
Original Justice Fadl'I as Studv
In 1994, the Orange County Board of Commissioners appointed a group to study the long-term
needs ofjustice facilities in Orange County. All judicial functions within the County were
represented in the Justice Facilities Study Group. The results of their efforts were reflected in a
report published in July 1995.
Efforts W Address Most Critical Neetl
The scope of the long-term needs as identified by the Group were extensive. The County's
ability to undertake expansion of this magnitude was limited. To that end, components
exhibid'ng the greatest need were considered separately and two projects specific to those
needs lobster.
• The Jail Expansion project completed in early 1998 Edited 58 beds to the existing 71,
thereby raising the total capacity in the jail to 128. Although capacity of the Jail is
inadequate for the long-term, cooperation between the Sheriffs Department and judges has
served to minimize overcrowding. The Federal Marshal continues b use the Orange County
Jail as a major depot for pnsoners.
The addition of the Gordon Battle Courtroom in early 1998 allowed the heavier volume
District Coon to utilize the large courtroom on the main floor as its Primary mud location. A
greater flexibility in scheduling various courtrooms was agreed b among the judges,thereby
allowing a more efficient use pattern of all courtrooms.
A second group of Judicial Officials and County staff were convened later in 1998 to evaluate
the impact of these We expansions. Although these changes may have negated the need for
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further expansion far to decade the group agreed that the long-term need still exist and
theta proactive approach to o development was critical
Hillsborough Justice Facilities Campus Master Plan
In 1999,the County Commissioners commissioned Freeman-White Architects, Charl to
produce a site plan that reflected the total build-out capability ofthe site. The results of this
report, presented in Apol 2000, outlined two options, one of which would allow approximately
96,000 additional square feet of building (Option A),the other approximately 105,600 square
feet(Option B). It is Important to note that the study defined the scope of the master plan acts to
be only Me area between the Government Services Center to the east.the Courthouse to the
west, Margaret Lane to the north and the edge of the existing parking lot to the south. Each
option defined building construction in four phases. Option A incorporated the panting deck into
the courthouse construction,while Option B developed a 6level free-standing parking structure
in the approximate location of the existing Sheriffs Department
At the request of the County Commissioners,the Master Plan was also presented to the Town
of Hillsborough Commissioners in June 2000. Concerns ralsed by both Boards were similar,
examples of which include the following:
• Parking suthcienoy and location; _
• Concern about losing the vista from Margaret Lane into River Park,and
• Scale of the proposed buildings in relation to the existing structure; and
• Farmers Market location.
In an effort to further clarify the challenges associated with development of a court facility on
Margaret Lane,iwo Commissioners, two Judges and County staff met with representatives from
the Town of Hillsborough, the Historic Alliance,the Tourism Board and local citizenry. While
there is general consensus that development can occur on Me site, there is significant concem
Mat it be done in a manner hat embraces a strong sensitivity to historical cement of the
community as well as the resulting environmental impacts, These concerns will be reflected in
the criteria used in the selection of a design firm.
Proposed Expansion of the Master Plan
Since the completion of this Master Plan,the Board has received recommendations regarding
future development of County Government buildings in the immediate vicinity. Several issues
were misea during those discussions, including the potential that a parking deck could be
located closer to the Government Services Center rather than being buitl as part of the
Courthouse Project. Regardless of whether that should be the case, it is a forgone conclusion
that Me design outcome for bath facilities will be more effective If their needs are considered in
tandem. For example:
• The facilities will have similar parking needs;
• Pedestrian and Vehicular circulation from one site to the other should be considered;
• Should the Board choose to site a Fanners Market on this site, it should be sited with
considerations of both faclldiea In mind.
Bemuse of the close Interaction of the two potential expansions in the Downtown Hillsborough
area, it is recommended that the scope of work for architectural services for the Courthouse
design be expanded to integrate all County land that lies:
• South of Margaret Lane
• East of Churton Street
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• West of Cameron Street
• North of the Eno River
Upon Board confirmation,the following assumptions regarding the use of the land would be
cited to the arohhect:
• The area that is presently River Park land would remain dedicated b park/open apace,with
extremely minimal, if any encroachment by parking.
• The area that is presently River Park could be utilized for part or all of a Famter's Market
Facility, f the final design Indicated that b be the optimal location.
• The building in which the Sheriffs Department is local should be left intact fi M all possible.
(The Court Campus Master Plan recommence Its removal.)
• The Occaneechi Indian Village remains as is.
• A multi-level parsing dock remains an acceptable solution to providing adequate parking to
the area.
The revised master plan would be presented to the Board for approval befcm commencement
of the actual design process for the Courthouse.
Should the Board so direct,Ne film who produced the Court Campus Master Plan could be
contacted regarding availability for the expanded plan and a contract for such presented to Me
Board for consideration in the near future.
Processed Planning Process
Following fie approval of the proposed expanded she master plan,the Justice Facilities
Expansion Project, as endorsed by the County Commissioners should move forward. The
process listed below is recommended in order to incorporate the interests of various
stakeholders at the appropriate times throughout the planning process. The individuals listed
are recommended based on their expressetl interest, specific area of expertise and/or previous
involvement In the process. The process has been compartmentalized into the following
segments:
• Selection of Dasign Firm
• Programming: Interior
• Programming: Exterior(Includes River Park area)
5alectlon of the Design Film
Scope of Work: Appointees to this group would be responsible for the following:
• Approving the criteria whereby the firms will be evsluffieq
• Reviewing the Requests for Proposal submitted by the various firms and creating a
short-list of firms that appear to best meet the project needs;
• Interviewing the firms placed an the short list(generally no more then six):
• Recommending the preferred design firm for Board of Commissioner consideration,
Recommended! appointees:
• Mark Sheridan.Town of Hillsborough Commissloner and Tourism Board member
• Susan Frankenburg, Alliance for Historic Hillsborough
• Cathleen Turner, Alliance for Historic Hillsborough
• Todd Dickinson, Historic Preservation Architect
• 2 County Commissioners
• Sher'Rf Lindy Pendergrass
• John Link, County Manager.
•
Wade
•• Barber, orCourt Judge
Jae Buckner, hief Distnct Court Judge
Jamie Stanfo rd, Cl ark of Court
• Pam Jones,Orange County Directorof Purchasing and Central Services
David Stencil, Orange County Director of Environment and Resource Conservation
Department
Programming, Exterior
Scope of work: This task group will be responsible for working with the designer to design
building that meets the community concerns about the appearance of the building and the
users concerns about the access, parking, efc. This group will also provide design direction
regarding River Park and the functional molding ofthe building with the Paid. The task groups
recommendations will be brought forward for County Commissioner consideration.
Recommended Appointees:
• Msr<Sheridan, Town Commissioner and Tourism Board member
Margaret Hauth,Town of Hillsborough Planning Director
• Susan Frankenburg,Alliance for Historic Hillsborough
• Todd Dickinson, Historic Preservation Architect
Cathleen Turner,Alliance for Historic Hillsborough
• Norman White, Landscape Architect
• David Stancil, or designate
• 2 County Commissioners
• Judge Wade Berber
• Judge Joe Buckner
• Jamie Stanford, Clerk of Court
• Sheriff Lindy Pendergrass
• Car Fox, District Attorney
John Link, County Manager
Pam Jones
Further, in order to ensure the Involvement of all stakeholders, input will be solicited at the
appropriate time in the exterior design process from groups representing the Interests of the
Occaneechi Indian Village and the Farmers Market, among others.
Proorammina: Interior
Scope of work: The scope of the project originally defined In the master plan included
approximately 30,000 square feet of space to accommodate at least the following functions:
• New entrances for public and staff with the public entrance designed to be a secure
entrance;
Offices forthe Sheriffs Department;
Offices for the Clerk of Court to relocate man eased space;
• Expansion for judicial functions presently located in the building.
Appointees within this category will work with the design team to ensure that the functional
needs of the proposed occupant departments are met. The task group's recommendations will
be brought forward for County Commissioner consideration.
Recommended Appointees;
• Judge Wade Barber
• Judge Joe Buckner
• Jamie Stanfct, Clerk of Court
Carl Fox, District Attomey
• Sheriff Lindy Pendergrass ,
• 2 County Commissioners
• Jahn Link, County Manager
Pam Jones
Input from other building users, such as the Public Defender, ProbationdParole,the 15B Bar
AssotlaGOn, ate.will be solicited at appropriate times during the design process as well.
Upon Board approval of the process, the Request for Proposal for erchffact selection will be
prepared and solk:hed during the Fall, with a recommendehon from the selection committee
anticipated by the end of January 2002.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The Indirect effect of approval of this matter is as follows:
• Cost of construction for building only is estimated at$6 million. This cost would be funded
through alternative funding mechanisms, such as Certificates of Participation (COPS)ora
private placement loan.
• Although design considerations for River Park will be included in the scope of this work, any
recommendations regarding me actual development would be considered as a separate
cost item.
• Cost of design for the building only is estimated at 10-12% of construction cost or
approximately S600,000-$700,000. These tuna have been appropriated over the past Me
years in the Capital Investments Plan (CIP). If approved, cost for the expanded site master
plan would also be charged against these funds.
Specific cost implications for each of these activities will be presented for Boats approval as
they become known.
RECOMMENOATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Boat:
Approve the expanded master plan work and authorize the Director of Purchasing and
Central Services ho negotiate a contract for Boat approval with Freeman-White Architects;
and
• Endorse the proposed planning process; and
• Make appointments to the three task groups as indicated above, including the designation of
two County Commissioners who will serve; and
• Authorize the Director of Purchasing and Central Services to solicit proposals for design
services for the Justice Facilities Expansion Project, Phase I.