REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Civic Center Modernization Project Update -Library Phase Cost Estimate (Information Only)
Report
BACKGROUND
In November, 2017, the City’s Civic Center Master Plan consultant prepared a cost estimate for Phase 1 of the Civic Center (RTC No. 17-0835), but it did not include updated costs for future Civic Center phases. City Council requested an updated cost estimate for a new library as part of the Civic Center Modernization Project based on the site plan selected by Council as the preferred alternative for environmental analysis. This informational report contains the updated cost estimate (Attachment 1) and a brief explanation of the cost details.
DISCUSSION
The draft Civic Center Master Plan will include a new two-story, 117,928 square foot Library Building with 70 new underground parking spaces, site improvements such as landscaping and pathways, resurfacing of the existing parking lots near the Library and demolition of the existing Library (Attachment 2). The existing Library will remain open during construction as much as possible to minimize disruption of Library services. The updated estimated total cost for a new Library including parking and site work is $135 million (in 2017 dollars).
The proposed Sunnyvale Library will meet or exceed the regional average service ratio of 0.76 square feet of library space per capita. It provides updated technology, more space for programs, improved meeting facilities and a larger children’s area for library users. The size of the building will include space for 15% staff growth.
The cost estimate for a new Library is in 2017 dollars and is conceptual, not based on a detailed design. The estimate is based on the configuration selected by City Council as a preferred Master Plan Alternative which assumes a new Library, although a renovation/addition option for the Library has never been ruled out. The estimate is organized in three main elements: Library Building, Parking, and Site Improvements as follows.
Library Building Cost Estimate $110 Million - The Library building cost is based on the 2015 “Civic Center Land Use Prototypes” cost estimate for Prototype E.1 which includes a new two-story library and one level of underground parking. The estimate assumes the high range of construction costs and includes related project soft costs such as design fees, permits, testing and inspections. A cost premium is included for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum and one percent has been added for public art. The Library Building includes a green roof over the one-story entrance facing the plaza. The cost of landscaping the roof has been included in the estimate. The cost estimate has been escalated from 2015 to 2017 based on the widely-used Construction Cost Index published by Engineering News-Record (ENR-CCI).
The updated estimate for the Library building does not include overall project contingencies, furniture, fixtures and equipment for the new building, moving, temporary facilities or other operational costs.
Parking Cost Estimate $10.4 Million - The project includes a new one-level underground parking structure below the new Library with approximately 70 spaces. The existing parking lots adjacent to the new Library will also be improved. The current Sunnyvale Office Center parking lot (183 spaces) and Library A (approx. 105 spaces) and Library B (approx. 90 spaces) lots will be completely repaved (see Attachment 2). This will provide a total of approximately 448 parking spaces around the proposed new library.
The estimate assumes new bio-retention areas will be installed for treatment of stormwater runoff from the surface lots. Stormwater will be directed to specially designed landscaped swales (bioswales) where vegetation will filter out automotive pollution carried from the parking lot before the water is released to the storm sewer. In a future phase of the Civic Center Modernization Project, Library Lot A and a portion of Library Lot B are planned to be converted to open space.
Site Improvements Cost Estimate $14.2 Million - Following construction of the new Library Building, the existing library and a portion of Library Lot A will be demolished. The area will be replaced with landscaping, trees, pedestrian walkways and other hardscape. Bioswales to treat stormwater runoff from the parking lots, will be integrated into the landscaping.
Financing Alternatives
Financing alternatives were explored for the Civic Center project at the end of 2015 with a General Obligation Bond being considered as one of the likely sources. Since the project has been broken into phases, a voter-approved General Obligation Bond is not needed for Phase 1, but would still be a likely source for future Civic Center phases. More information is available on this approach in RTC No. 15-0445.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Senior Center, Community Center and Department of Public Safety; and by making the agenda and report available at the Sunnyvale Public Library, the Office of the City Clerk and on the City's website.
Staff
Prepared by: Nathan Scribner, Senior Engineer
Reviewed by: Cynthia Bojorquez, Director, Library and Community Services
Reviewed by: Teri Silva, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Conceptual Cost Estimate
2. Site Plan