October 17, 2023
Public Works
DATE: October 17, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Daniel Chavarria, PE, Director of Public Works
Wendy Wellbrock, PE, Senior Civil Engineer
LaShonda White, Deputy City Manager-Community
Services
Kate Eppler, Deputy Director of Community Services -
Library
Melinda Cervantes, Project Manager lll
Christopher Larsen, Administrative Services Librarian
Subject:
Contract with Noll & Tam Architects for Architectural
Design Services for the Revitalization of the Historic
Richmond Main Library Project.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The City has been awarded a California State Library Building Forward grant of $9,712,979 and the City has
appropriated $19,856,490 for the Revitalization of the
Historic Richmond Main Library Project. Total funds
presently committed for this project are $29,569,469. This contract is fully funded by the California State Library Building Forward grant and the General Capital Fund.
(Account strings: 10545055-400733-AR231 and
20136031-400733-AR231)
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
City Council adopted Resolution 131-22 on October 4,
2022, to accept and appropriate $9,712,979 in grant funds and appropriate 50 precent matching local funds in the
amount of $4,856,490 for a total project budget of
$14,569,469 for the Revitalization of the Historic Richmond Main Library Project. Council adopted Resolution 46-23 on May 23, 2023, to appropriate an additional $15,000,000 to create opportunities for further renovations to the
Richmond Main Library and bring the total State and local funds committed to $29,569,469.
AGENDA
REPORT
October 17, 2023
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
City staff is requesting approval to award a contract for the Revitalization of the Historic Richmond Main Library
Project to Noll & Tam Architects in an amount not to
exceed $3,285,872, which includes a contract amount of
$2,987,156 plus 10 percent contingency in the amount of $298,716.
RECOMMENDED
ACTION:
APPROVE a contract in the amount of $2,987,156, and
any amendments, if necessary, for up to a 10 percent
contingency in the amount of $298,716, with Noll & Tam
Architects for architectural design services for the seismic retrofit and Revitalization of the Historic Richmond Main Library located at 325 Civic Center Plaza in Richmond,
with a term from October 17, 2023, through June 30, 2027; and ADOPT a resolution awarding a contract to Noll & Tam Architects and authorizing the city manager or designee to execute the contract and any related documents – Public Works Department/Community Services Department
(Daniel Chavarria 510-620-6639/ LaShonda White 510-
620-6828).
DISCUSSION:
The Richmond Public Library is the municipal public library serving the City of Richmond, which has a population of approximately 115,639 people. The Main Branch (Richmond Main Library), located at 325 Civic Center Plaza, is one of three physical locations. It is at the center of the community and conveniently accessible by various modes of transportation including walking, biking, and bus.
Constructed in 1949, the Richmond Main Library is a two-story structure with an approximate floor area of 31,500 square feet and was the first glass-fronted library in the nation. The building is constructed of composite steel and concrete moment- resisting frames faced with brick and sheet glass and is comprised of a main floor, mezzanine, and partial basement. The Richmond Main Library houses central library collections and support functions, including acquisitions and administration. In 1995, extensive additions were made to the electrical systems in the library building, which supported the installation of multiple patron computers and added additional upgraded outlets throughout the structure. Significantly deferred maintenance of the Richmond Main Library has resulted in the need for major repair or upgrades to the building and building systems, many of which have not been improved since the building was built in 1949.
In October 2022, the City was awarded a California State Library Building Forward grant of $9,712,979, and the City appropriated 50 percent matching funds in the amount of $4,856,490 for a total project budget of $14,569,469 for the Revitalization of the Historic
October 17, 2023
Richmond Main Library Project (Project) to address critical life-safety and maintenance issues in the Richmond Main Library. In May 2023, the City Council appropriated an additional $15,000,000 to create opportunities for further renovations. Total funds presently committed for this project are $29,569,469.
The primary objectives of this project include seismic upgrades, safety and security upgrades, accessibility, full renovation of the interior including new building systems, exterior glazing system and roof replacement, and site development. However, various interior and exterior facility upgrades will be part of the overall goal of the project in order to create a more accessible and usable space. This includes remodeling the existing public restrooms to accommodate occupancy and replacement of the original elevator which presently limits access to the Mezzanine level and is in a staff area. The overall goal for the project will be to deliver a successful result, with a clearly thought out and viable design option from the planning and conceptual design phases through construction, and associated cost estimate, all conducted with broad-based community input and robust public engagement throughout every stage of the process.
On July 7, 2023, City staff issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for architectural design services for the seismic retrofit and Revitalization of the Historic Richmond Main Library Project. In response to the RFP, City staff received nine proposals from qualified architectural firms. A panel of library and public works staff members who possess the technical and engineering expertise needed to effectively evaluate complex architectural proposals reviewed the proposals to find the most qualified firm. Selection criteria included relevant project experience, understanding the scope of work, ability to meet the project deadline and to operate within budget.
The panel identified Noll & Tam Architects as the most qualified consultant based upon their expertise in similar projects, their deep understanding of the project scope of work and approach to completing the project, and emphasis on a strong community engagement process.
City staff is requesting approval of a resolution to authorize the City Manager or her designee to execute a contract with Noll and Tam Architects for a not-to-exceed amount of $2,987,156, and approve any amendments to the contract, if necessary, for up to a 10 percent contingency in the amount of $298,716 to facilitate the completion of the Project.
The community engagement and design process will commence in October 2023, and the project timeline anticipates construction completion in late 2026.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Resolution
Attachment 2 – Proposed Contract