Agenda - Economic Development Authority - 08/08/2024

Home

Economic Development Authority (EDA) Meeting Date: 08/08/2024 Primary Strategic Plan Initiative: 4. 4. Create a positive image for residential neighborhoods, business districts and key corridors. Title: Old Town Hall Discussion - 50th Anniversary - Renovation Quotes - Next Steps Purpose/Background: Council Members Specht and Howell originally asked for this item to brought forward for discussion at the Council level this year. Ramsey is having its 50th Anniversary this year and trying to bring the Old Town Hall back into service in some capacity could be part of the celebration. The City Council has discussed this item twice this year at work session and asked the EDA to look at the potential of funding the project as consensus of the July 25th work session. The purpose of this case is to consider contracting to renovate the entire Old Ramsey Town Hall, performing general maintenance and to consider future use. At the March 9th, 2024 City Council work session, the City Council discussed the idea of renovating the Old Town Hall Building as part of the 50th Anniversary Celebration for the City of Ramsey. The consensus of the discussion was to have staff obtain quotes for the renovation and to bring it back to a future work session for discussion. Possible uses could be park programming, lease for music instruction, other smaller retail or office uses with minimal parking requirements. Obtaining quotes for the project took longer than anticipated based on the complexity of the project and finding three contractors willing to quote the work. Staff has attached the quotes and scope of work for each contractor and a comparison of the quotes to this case. In order to ensure that the building meets ADA requirements, staff is suggesting that the concrete ramp and sidewalk be included with the work contracted if the Council decides to move forward with the renovation. There are a couple of large Oak trees (One dead and hanging over building, the other one dying) on site that should be removed as part of this project to make way for the sidewalk. One contractor quoted $4000 for the tree removal but our public works team will be able to get the work done for a lesser cost. Quotes from the contractors ranged from $120,007 to $187,000 and did not include tree removal which is significantly less than what staff estimated at the previous worksession. Neither quote included Sewer and Water connection charges, if applicable. The water meter was removed in 2000 and a new meter would need to be installed by the City. The timeline to complete the project once awarded and materials selected ranged from 4 weeks to 6 months. Based on the timing of required approvals, it is unlikely the project would be completed prior to Happy Days. The lowest quote was provided by DKN Construction and they also had the shortest timeline to get the project done. It should be noted that these quotes have a shelf life and a decision needs to be made quickly to ensure price stability. Staff also has had further discussions and has provided additional information to the contractors from the RCP report. Staff recommends that if a recommendation to award a contract is made that a 10-15% contingency be included due to the exploratory nature of some of the work that is needed to be performed (Sheet rock replacement (water marks), Door frame rot extending into builfiding, and other unforeseen conditions). Parking Update (New information) Staff has had subsequent discussions with Security Bank and Trust (Formerly Flagship Bank)