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Moreland Hills ready to choose architect
(by Sali McSherry - November 12, 2008)
Moreland Hills ready to choose architect
By SALI McSHERRY
Moreland Hills Village Council is preparing to choose an architect in the next month for the new service garage, Mayor Susan C. Renda said Monday. No new taxes are anticipated for the project.
Construction of the facility, estimated at $2.3 million, is expected to be completed by 2010, she said. In January, council is to consider legislation to hire one of three architects: R.E. Warner Architects, of Westlake; Karl R. Rohrer Architects, of Copley; or Richard L. Bowen & Associates, of Cleveland. Warner Architects received the highest qualification score based on a preliminary evaluation of proposals.
The architect selected will spend about eight months on the planning phase, Mrs. Renda said.
The village has saved $500,000 for the project. Money from the capital-improvement and general funds also will be used, she said.
Construction will be phased, because the building will replace the garage in its existing location, and service department equipment will need to be stored under roof, Mrs. Renda said.
There are safety and code issues at the current facility, including roof leaks, electrical conduit and boxes not meeting code, lack of equipment storage, a deteriorating salt bin, gas-tank storage considered a fire hazard, exterior walls puling away from the building and inadequate space for employees and storage, according to a preliminary report done over four years ago by FMC Architects, of North Royalton.
Mrs. Renda said she would appoint a committee to oversee the planning of the facility. The committee will include residents, as well as herself, Building Inspector Gregory Potts, Service Director Ted DeWater, village Engineer Jeffrey Filarski, Councilman Ted Buczek and Councilwoman Kelly Ovsek.
The building is expected to include ample bay areas and storage for tools, separate areas for service and salt trucks, male and female locker rooms, lunchroom and meeting and reception rooms. All the service offices would be housed in the new facility as well, said Mrs. Ovsek, who is spearheading the effort.
The existing facility at the Village Hall complex has four garage areas, including one for police cars, a small storage area, an old salt storage area, one bathroom and shower stall, a small locker room and a lunchroom which has been converted to a changing room when necessary. The service department offices are housed in other buildings in the complex.
Preliminary estimates are about $1.6 million for building construction, $150,000 for demolition, $130,000 for architectural services, $125,000 for site improvements, $25,000 for engineering services for site work, $100,000 for soft costs such as interior furnishings and equipment, $65,000 for construction management and about $15,000 for geo-technical investigation, according to the village. Miscellaneous contingencies estimated at 5 percent would equal about $110,500.
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