Meetings Steering Committee(Folders 1-2)

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large enough to meet even the current space needs of the non-court downtown county departments and agencies. Therefore, selection of the strategy recommended by the courts subcommittee, that the courthouse be remodeled for non-court department and agency use and that a new Justice Center be built for the courts, would necessitate continued use of the Franklin Building and probably the Ticor Building to meet the projected space needs for non-court downtown departments and agencies. Under that arrangement, these departments and agencies would continue to be physically separated from one another. B. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. 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. 2. 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. C. COST FACTORS 1. Preliminary cost studies indicate that the Equitable Building can be purchased and remodeled at a cost of $9.6 to $11.6 million. This option is about $8 to $10 million less than constructing a new Public Service Building and at least $5 million less than a downsized (Phase I) Public Service Building. 2. The acquisition of the Equitable Building would permit the county to sell the Franklin and Senator properties; and the construction of a new Public Service Building on the PAGE 20 ksj/cd/Facilities.Int 08/10/95