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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJ5 Update on Reconconstruction of Bogert Pavilion Commission Memorandum REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission FROM: James Goehrung, Superintendent of Facilities Chris Kukulski, City Manager SUBJECT: Bogert Pavilion Fire Damage and Facility Repair MEETING DATE: August 14, 2006 BACKGROUND: On the evening of July 2, the Bozeman Fire Department responded to a fire event at the Bogert Pavilion on South Church. We have stayed in close contact with our insurance carrier and are now at the point where we have authorization to proceed with rebuilding. There are multiple scheduling issues that will determine how quickly we can get the facility reconstructed, thus the need for direction and a decision by the Commission to begin the work. Approximately 30% to 40% of the structure was compromised in the fire. Upon inspection by a structural engineer it was determined that the majority of the large laminated beams weathered the fire with only the beams on the north and south end suffering enough damage that their integrity was compromised and therefore they will need to be replaced. The majority of damage was to the plywood roofing and the purlins that provide structural support between the large trusses. At the recommendation of the structural engineer a contractor was hired on an emergency basis to stabilize the building because so much of the lateral stability was compromised in the fire. The roof has slumped from the loss of support leading to concerns about rain and especially snow loads. With the lead time required on ordering materials and fall weather coming up it is critical that we move ahead on repairs as soon as possible. Timing is not the best on this job. I contacted three contractors about taking on the repair job. Two declined because of workload. I have a proposal from R & R Taylor Construction that I have presented to the insurance carrier. The dollar amount is $348,830.00, (copy attached). Taylor completed the remodel of the second floor of the Professional Building and the restoration work on the Story Mansion so they have a good track record with us. This figure is clearly in the amount that would normally require bidding the project. However, the time that it would take to bid would get us into winter weather and the liability risk is too great for snow loads on the building. There are provisions in state statute for emergency repairs that do not require bidding for there types of situations, (statute attached). I am not sure if this would require formal action by the Commission to allow a single proposal for a project of this scope. This is also a situation where we are using insurance money to rebuild and not public money. Our final fallback is that the insurance company has a means standard book for construction costs that they can verify that the price proposed is reasonable for the amount of construction work involved. So far every indication is that our insurance coverage will pay for the restoration cost, minus our deductible. There is another issue that was raised regarding the need to provide a fire suppression system for the structure. Anything over 12,000 square feet requires a fire sprinkler system. The pavilion measures out at 30,800 square feet. This requirement was a part of the 1973 code which would have been in effect when the building was built in 1976. The question of course has come up as to why a system was not installed when the building was originally constructed. I have no formal answer because no one is still around to provide an explanation and there is no information in any Commission minutes that show any discussion one way or another. The only explanation I can provide is based on a similar situation. When the ice arena at the Fairgrounds was in the planning stage it was determined that if the facility was only going to be used for skating it did not have to be sprinkled. If however they were going to have viewing areas, grandstands, or have other assembly activities, like the Farmers Market, those uses would kick into an “A Occupancy” which would require installation of a system. The Bogert Pavilion was constructed with Bureau of Outdoor Recreation funds as a skating facility; the dimensions of the facility match the dimensions of a regulation hockey rink. Over the years as other uses evolved, our park reservation system started in the 1980’s and the Farmers Market in the same time frame, there was not a trigger point identified that said if you are going to do this or that activity in the pavilion it will need to be sprinkled. The tentative estimate I have from the sprinkler design company is around $130,000.00 for the system and 4 inch water line. Indications from the insurance carrier are that this cost will not be covered by the policy and will be the City’s responsibility. The final issue is whether there is strong interest in constructing something else in place of the current building. You should have a recommendation from the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board. If we are not rebuilding what is there the building will need to be taken down before winter sets in. Addition money will be needed to design and construct a new facility and a time line is purely speculation at this time. Fundraising efforts have started for the new ice arena at the Fairgrounds so fundraising efforts may be in direct competition with that facility. The company that will produce the laminated beams has a heavy production schedule right now. We are in their production schedule at this time but any delay in a decision will mean that delivery of the beams will be out 3 to 4 months. The project costs will increase if the contract for repairs extends into the winter season. RECOMMENDATION: The recommendation from Facilities is that the Commission approve the reconstruction of the existing Bogert Pavilion. The reconstruction will proceed with the one proposal, provided that the insurance carrier is comfortable with the price as presented. FISCAL EFFECTS: The reconstruction of the facility includes the installation of a fire suppression system which will be a general fund obligation of approximately $130,000.00, depending on how the bids come in from the contractors. This portion of the project will be formally bid because public money is involved. The City will also bear the deductible cost of $5,000.00. ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the City Commission. Respectfully submitted, _________________________________ ____________________________ James Goehrung Chris A. Kukulski, City Manager Superintendent of Facilities Attachments: Exemptions from bidding for certain contracts Proposal from R & R Taylor Draft Estimate for fire suppression system Report compiled on August 10, 2006