Explanation
Background
This legislation authorizes the Finance and Management Director to enter into a contract on behalf of the Office of Construction Management with Messer Construction Company in an amount of $73,750,000 for the construction of a new office building to be located at 111 North Front Street and a new parking garage to be located at 141 North Front Street.
The city demolished the former 109 North Front Street building in 2014 due to its energy inefficiency and functional obsolescence. The new building (111 North Front Street) will unite four separate service departments (Public Service, Development, Building and Zoning, and a portion of Public Utilities) into an efficient “One Stop Shop” for a myriad of business, regulatory, neighborhood, and code functions. This building has a targeted LEED Silver design. As such, the building will have natural and energy efficient lighting, will utilize reduced flow water components, high performance heating and air-conditioning that will employ recycled products, reflective roof coatings, a “green roof”, and low VOC paints and sealants. Additionally, a permanent green space will be constructed and suitable for a variety of civic uses, replacing the current surface parking lot at Gay and Front Streets.
The new building will eliminate the need for residents and the business community to travel among multiple locations. For example, a citizen looking to obtain a certified address, a building permit, new water and sewer connections, and all fee payments can do so at a single location. This building will also reduce efforts related to the approval process from boards such as Historic Preservation, Urban Design, Area Commissions, and Zoning. Considering operations costs, this building will eliminate the need for operation and maintenance of several facilities, and the city will realize efficiencies by sharing of common spaces and services among multiple departments. It is contemplated that the Piedmont/Carolyn...
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