Meetings Steering Committee(Folders 1-2)

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Downtown Facilities Recommendation: Consider purchase of the Equitable Building, which is located one block north of the Senator Building. The building appears to contain sufficient square footage and parking to meet the County's space needs for the next 20 years. It also meets the County's goal of consolidating departments and is one of the least cost options of all the alternatives considered. A detailed study of the building must be completed as soon as possible to determine if the building is the most cost effective solution for meeting the County's downtown space needs. If this option is not cost effective, it is recommended that the County consider constructing a new 138,000 gross square foot Public Service Building on the Senator Block. Cost Factors: Preliminary cost studies indicate that the Equitable Building can be purchased and remodeled at a cost of $9.6 - 11.6 million. This option is about $8 - 10 million less than constructing a new Public Service Building and at least $5 million less than a downsized (phase I) Public Service Building. It may also be possible to use certificates of participation (COP) to acquire the building. Options considered: The Committee considered 6 options, 4 of which require the construction of a new or downsized Public Service Building. One option, which proved the less desirable, was the retention and remodeling of the 4 existing downtown buildings. The downtown buildings do not contain sufficient office and parking space to meet future needs and the Senator Building is in need of extensive repairs within the next 5 years. Furthermore, the cost of this option could be nearly as high as the purchase of the Equitable Building. The purchase of the Equitable Building will require the County to conduct further studies on the future use of the Senator Block and Franklin building, including possibly reconsideration of the joint development project with the Transit District. Risks and Liabilities: The County has not conducted a detailed study of the Equitable Building to determine its structural condition, state of repair or income and operating expenses. It is also located two blocks from the Courthouse which makes travel for departments like the District Attorney more difficult. The County will also need to evaluate future use of the Senator Block if that property is not redeveloped for County Offices. In the event that voter approval is required to fund the purchase of the Equitable Building or build a new Public Service Building, it may be difficult to obtain voter support given the importance of detention, health and criminal justice facility needs that have been identified by the committee.