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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-17-2000-9b.- ORANGE COUNTY ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 17, 2000 Action Agen a Item No. - SUBJECT: Hillsborough Court Campus Master Plan DEPARTMENT: Purchasing & Central Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): Report (under separate cover) BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS INFORMATION CONTACT: Pam Jones 245-2652 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: The purpose of this action is as follows: • To present the Hillsborough Court Campus Master Plan; and • To receive direction from the Board regarding their preference of a design concept (articulated as Option A or Option B in the report); and • To receive the Board's direction regarding the progression of events necessary for Court facility development; and • To seek the Board's authorization to begin the architect selection process immediately after July 1, 2000, pending approval of design funds in the CIP; BACKGROUND: The Court system in Orange County continues to experience significant growth in volume of cases handled. Since 1995 the County has engaged various groups of judicial and bar association officials in a collaborative effort to determine what direction the growth of Orange County court facilities should take. There are Court facilities both in Hillsborough and in Chapel Hill. The Hillsborough facilities are owned by the County and support the greatest volume of court activity. However, the Courthouse in Chapel Hill, which is owned by the Town, is an integral part of the court system and is used, extensively. As referenced, a number of groups have explored various aspects of Orange County judicial facilities since 1995. In 1998 asub-committee of the original Justice Facility Study Group (JFSG) assessed the impact of the addition of the F. Gordon Battle Courtroom and the 58 additional beds to the jail. They agreed that the additions, coupled with the reallocation of space for the high volume district court sessions, provided much needed relief. However, it was further noted that the additions were only a temporary solution and encouraged the County to continue the exploring the longer-term needs. Based on information received by the Board in September 1999 a master plan was commissioned for the Hillsborough Court Campus. The goal of the master plan was to: ^ Ensure that the Board had sufficient accurate data whereby to make decisions about the future development on the site; and ^ To ensure that any structure built as a security checkpoint would be compatible with future development; and ^ To determine how much of the long-term- court needs could be met on the Hillsborough campus; and ^ Perhaps most importantly, to identify obstacles to future development on the Hillsborough site, such as underground utilities, poor soils, etc. that might significant increase the cost of construction on the site or preclude development in certain areas of the site. In response to those goals, the Court Campus Master Plan being presented will reflect two design options that the Board could pursue. Both options provide that the court facility would be expanded in four phases, incorporating facility and parking needs into each phase. Construction costs of the phases vary, but are estimated to be in the range of $5 - $6 million per phase. Amore complete discussion of development costs will be presented at a subsequent meeting. The Board is also requested to provide feedback in the following areas: • To the extent possible, express a design concept preference (articulated as Option A or Option B in the report); and • To provide direction as to the next steps the Board anticipates in the pursuit of court facilities. It should be noted that the articulation of these steps is meant only to foster productive discussion and should not be construed as a call for final decisions. 'The exact scope of work for Court campus development will be considered by the Board during an upcoming meeting. Steps that the Board may wish to consider are as follows: 1. The Board could agree to pursue at least Hillsborough Phase I construction to address the more urgent space needs in the Clerk of Court and Sheriff .Offices. Note: Since Phase I construction would include office space for the Clerk of Court, it would enable the County to relocate the Clerk's staff from leased space and use the, approximately $60,000 savings in rent to offset the cost of debt service. 2. Since the report recommends specific uses only for Phase I, the Board may also choose to direct staff to work with the Architect in developing a programming document that would define the uses of the space added as a result of Phases II, III and IV. This analysis would be based in large part on the needs assessment presented in 1995 and would allow the County to determine what functions may not fit the Hillsborough court campus and may therefore define certain construction needs for Chapel Hill court facilities. 3. In tandem with this effort, should be a discussion with the Town of Chapel Hill regarding their commitment to maintaining a court presence in Downtown Chapel Hill. This comprehensive look will, allow the County to make informed decisions regarding their statutory responsibility to provide court facilities in the County. 4. If the Board chooses to pursue Phase I construction on the Hillsborough campus, they could authorize staff to begin the architect selection process as early as July 1, 2000. Funding sufficient to support the design work that would be accomplished during FY 2000-2001 is part of the Manager's Recommended 2000-2010 Capital Investment Plan. By taking this action, the County would be positioned to supply specific information to citizens about exactly what would be constructed at such time funding for construction was being sought. It would also position us to be able to begin work quickly after funds became available. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The Board is requested to authorize staff to solicit for architectural services after July 1, 2000 contingent upon approval of the funds in the CIP. It is anticipated that the $125,000 appropriation in the 2000-2010 CIP will fund the design work that can be accomplished during the fiscal year. Remaining design funds will be appropriate in future CIP's. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the following actions to the Board: • Endorse the Hillsborough Court Campus Master Plan; and • To the extent possible, express a design concept preference (articulated as Option A or Option B in the report); and • Provide direction to the Staff regarding the next steps of court facility development that the Board would like to pursue; and • Authorize staff to begin the architect selection process immediately after July 1, 2000, pending approval of design funds in the CIP.