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SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT STUDY By: James E. Norman, City Administrator Background: During the Community Center Task Force meeting of November 9, 1998, the Committee recommended staff to seek a proposal for a space needs study for the City Hall portion of the facilities project. Staff contacted Fred Hoisington of the Hoisington, Koegler Group Inc., to determine his interest in such a study. Mr. Hoisington suggested that the City would be better served by an architecture firm that specializes in such studies. His suggestion was to consider the three firms of Ankeny Kell Architects, BWBR Architects, and Boarman Kroos Pfister Rudin & Associates, Inc. (BKPR). Hoisington suggested the City pay special attention to BKPR for their municipal building space needs assessment because they have more experience than the other firms in the Metropolitan Area. Staff is familiar with all three firms from recent research processes. As part of the Tri- City Community Center exploration, the City Managers of Anoka, Andover and Ramsey interviewed representatives from the firms of Ankeny Kell Architects and BWBR Architects. The firm of BKPR is familiar to the City because the last needs assessment study for municipal building was performed by BKPR in 1993, when a needs assessment study was performed of the police, fire and public works departments. The result of the 1993 study were used as part of the process to build a new police department and purchase of the new public works facilities. Recommendations: Staff met with David Kroos of BKPR on November 17, 1998, and requested a formal proposal for a City Hall space needs assessment study. The proposed needs assessment is similar to a proposed study submitted on May 21, 1993. The firm has a great deal of experience in interior design and space planning for governmental units for the past 20 years. Another benefit to BKPR is the familiarity with Ramsey after having performed the last space needs assessment in 1993. Additionally, the positive, unsolicited reference by Fred Hoisington makes the submittal of BKPR as a recommendation to the City Council an easy decision. Finances: Costs for a needs assessments study would be approximately $10,500. Attached to the case is a proposal from BKPR with the fee proposal. Staff will recommend financing of the City Hall facilities needs assessment study through a transfer from the Contingency Fund of the General Fund.