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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2006-01-19 KPL/CENTRE BLOCK PROJECT COMMITTEE MINUTES January 19, 2006 City of Kitchener KPL/Centre Block Project Committee met this date, commencing at 8:30 a.m., Chaired by Hans Pottkamper with the following members present: Craig Robson, Hans Gross, Rod Regier, Sonia Lewis, Ray Robinson, Marty Schreiter, Silvia Wright, Larry Gordon, Bruce McNeil, Jana Miller and Sandy Curzon Approval of Minutes 1. On motion by Larry Gordon, it was resolved that the minutes of January 12, 2006 be accepted and posted on the city’s website www.city.kitchener.on.ca 2.Centre Block Components 2.1 Design Brief ? Project Committee have set aside a three hour strategy session to synthesize the elements to be included in the Design Brief Action ? R. Regier will facilitate and Messrs. Willmer and Mounsey will be available for the th Design Brief workshop on Wednesday, January 25 from 4-7pm. ? Committee were asked to review the Design Brief materials provided prior to the workshop session 2.2City Objectives Scoring Methodology ? Due to the escalation of costs associated with building a new central library, Project Committee discussed rewriting the City’s Objectives to be inclusive and exclusive of a library – a difficult and complex process according to J. McKellar, Fairness Advisor ? The challenge will be to change the existing selection process to incorporate two different (potential) outcomes in the proposal call – one with a library and one without a library, whereby the proposal with a library would be considered first. If no viable proposals are received, then non-library proposals will be considered ? Concerns were raised about possible complication whereby a developer, if they cannot build a library, might not participate. The TOR will need to be as clear and uncomplicated as possible to the developer ? Project Committee discussed and agreed that there are four main components for the redevelopment of Centre Block: i)Library ii)Parking Structure iii)Centre Block development as a whole iv)Financing KPL/Centre Block Project Committee Page 1 of 4 Minutes: January 19, 2006 ? Project Committee agreed that a proposal with a library and parking that’s acceptable (on budget) would be necessary before the proposal received further consideration ? Project Committee agreed that any ‘innovative financing’ proposals, would require a basis for evaluation and would be evaluated by the City’s Chief Financial Officer as well as a third outside party Action: ? H. Gross to provide percentage allocation for scoring and weighting of the four main components Use of Forsyth Materials: ? The Forsyth building, in part, is undergoing demolition. Project Committee discussed inclusion of materials (bricks) salvaged from the site to be incorporated on the interior of any development on the site. ? It was noted, that due to the demolition, the timeline for the Environmental Assessment and Risk Assessment will be delayed. Therefore, the Environmental Audit report may not be included in the TOR document as originally intended. It would be provided at a later date. Action: ? Building materials salvaged from the Forsyth Building are to made available to the developer for use on the Centre Block site 2.3Other Buildings on Site ? Project Committee agreed that the TOR will request, in order to protect the façade of these buildings, that the Mayfair and 156/158 King St.W. buildings be considered as though designated under the Heritage Act ? L. Proulx, Director of Facilities Management had no concerns of the structural stability of these two buildings. ? The original part of the Mayfair, which includes the first three floors, has historical significance, unlike the additional three stories above. Maintaining the first three floors was suggested ? At this time, Heritage Kitchener is undergoing the process of having these two buildings designated under the Heritage Act 3.Kitchener Public Library (KPL) 3.1 KPL Central Library Objectives th ? KPL Board, at their meeting of January 18, approved the objectives; however has expressed their concern about the funding gap for the new main library. Objectives will be viewed as targets, rather than requirements as a means of achieving flexibility ? The most critical factor is to have a functional building that meets the budget ? Project Committee discussed removing the parking and landscaping components from the Library’s objectives and have them assessed individually ? S. Lewis advised that KPL Board will appear as a delegate at City Council meeting of th January 30 to address the cost estimates for the new main library ? Scoring and weighting of KPL’s Objectives will be reviewed by KPL KPL/Centre Block Project Committee Page 2 of 4 Minutes: January 19, 2006 Action: ? Scoring and weighting of KPL’s Objectives will be reviewed by the Board ? Remove parking and landscaping from Library budget ? H. Gross to provide Project Committee with a copy of Council’s resolution of the downtown Parking Study ? Project Committee agreed to provide City Council with a progress report on January th 30 which will include the project timelines 4.Project Timeline Schedule 4.1Communication Timing ? J. Miller provided Project Committee with an overview of the timelines associated with the Terms of Reference materials for the RFP. th ? It is anticipated that Project Committee will be given their first review on January 26 th with final approval from City Council on March 20 ? A supplement in the Globe & Mail is expected within the month Action ? J. Miller to provide Project Committee the Terms of Reference documents for review, th prior to January 26 for discussion 5.Other Business 5.1Legal Agreement ? A firm has been retained to begin a draft of an agreement between the City and the successful proponent 5.2Fee (cost to obtain) Terms of Reference Document ? L. Gordon advised that the standard process is that no fees are charged, however should one be applied, it should be minimal - $50.00 was suggested ? S. Lewis suggested a copy be provided to the Library for the public to reference Action: ? Project Committee agreed that a nominal fee be charged for the Terms of Reference documents and that a ‘complimentary’ copy be provided to the Library for public reference 5.3Duke Street Right-of-Way ? It’s been determined that 1.9 meters (6.3 feet) right-of-way on Duke Street would be required for any new development. It was noted that there are buildings currently on the property line, thus this requirement cannot be met KPL/Centre Block Project Committee Page 3 of 4 Minutes: January 19, 2006 5.4Charette Summary ? It is expected that the summary of the public open house for Centre Block will be rd made available by January 23 ? Once available, the final report will be posted on the City’s website Meeting was adjourned at 10:00 am Next Scheduled Meeting: Wednesday, January 25th @ 4pm-7pm Council Caucus Room, Second Floor, City Hall KPL/Centre Block Project Committee Page 4 of 4 Minutes: January 19, 2006