TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Status Update on the Future Transportation and Public Works Facilities Project and Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing Separate Projects Instead of the Previously Contemplated Joint Facility Project at the Former CREA Site MEETING DATE: January 25, 2022
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council will receive and file a status update on the future transportation and public works facilities and consider adopting a Resolution authorizing the separation of the Transportation and Public Works Facility into separate projects and the exploration of identifying a new location for Public Works instead of the former CREA site located at 5926 Sheila Street.
BACKGROUND:
The City Council approved separate purchase and sale agreements for the former Public Works headquarters, which was subsequently relocated across the street on Jillson, and the current Transportation headquarters, to private parties. The City sold these properties in order to create for-sale housing opportunities in the housing overlay zone. Construction of the first phase of a private for-sale housing project is now underway at the site that Public Works vacated. Construction of additional homes by the developer will commence at the Transportation site once that site is clear of all structures.
On August 17, 2021, the City approved a professional services agreement with Stantec Architecture Inc., to provide architecture and engineering services to design a joint Transportation and Public Works Facility. As part of the evaluation process, Stantec, along with City staff (Team), toured existing Commerce facilities to examine and document current space deficiencies, future operational needs, and service demands. The team also toured other regional facilities to obtain feedback and “lessons learned” from previous transportation and public works projects. This thorough evaluation process set the stage for future programming dialogue around operational requirements, department culture, and adjacencies – both those indicative of combined operational use facilities in general, as well as those unique to the City of Commerce. Additionally, the study addressed land utilization, minimization of work disruptions, costs, and the delivery of services to the residents of the City of Commerce.
ANALYSIS:
The Team worked closely to better understand the City’s current space needs and projected those needs with respect to a 20-year forecast. Based on the findings, the evaluation team developed a program matrix that identified the functional spaces required, projected secured parking for City vehicles/equipment, circulation space, public parking, trash/recycling, emergency generator, onsite fueling, etc.) to determine the required space to accommodate both transportation and public works program elements.
Evaluation of the space needs program determined that a combined use for a transportation and public works facility would require approximately 439,743 square feet (10.10 acres) that would be necessary by the end of the 20-year forecast window. The total space on the proposed Commerce Refuse Energy Authority (CREA) site is 287,576 (6.51 acres).
Due to the significant capacity restraints associated with building a joint facility on the proposed for CREA site, a large portion of the project would have to be elevated and constructed on multi-story buildings. This, however, increases the cost of the project considerably. Cost estimates are provided for review below.
Project Description
Cost
Transportation & PW Facility Combined
$100,445,295
Maximum Federal Funding
$40,000,000
Shortfall
$60,445,295
Transportation Facility Only
$74,945,420
Maximum Federal Funding
$40,000,000
Shortfall
$34,945,420
In addition to the capacity constraints, the Public Works Department faces the need to relocate from its current location, 5601 Washington Blvd (formerly FMI Systems), due to the City’s plan to develop the Washington Blvd Corridor, which makes the need to identify an alternative location imperative.
CONCLUSION:
As a result, given the space restrictions of the proposed CREA site, and the cost-prohibitive aspect of building up to construct both facilities on the same site, the evaluation team concluded that it would be advisable to continue the project solely for the Transportation facility at the former CREA site and explore other locations to house Public Works.
ALTERNATIVES:
Approve staff recommendation
Disapprove staff recommendation
Provide further direction to staff
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact with the recommended action. Staff will return to the City Council with design updates and refined construction estimates for the new Transportation Facility (solely Transportation) at a later date.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC GOALS:
This agenda item relates to the 2016 Strategic Plan:
Infrastructure and Facilities
Guiding Principle #4: Develop and invest in infrastructure and beautification projects that support economic growth.
Respectfully submitted: Edgar P. Cisneros, City Manager Prepared by: Claude McFerguson, Director of Transportation Reviewed by: Daniel Hernandez, Director of Public Works Reviewed by: Vilko Domic, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT