LBReport.com

News / AUDIO

There's Now THIRD Estimate (Second From Professionals) That Long Beach City Hall Retrofit Ought To Cost Roughly $30-$50 Million; City Has Sought No Marketplace Bids, Council Has Let City Mgm't Proffer Its Own $190+ Mil Estimate As Cost Basis To Pursue Entire Civic Center Rebuild; AUDIO: HEAR Columbia U Master of Science Thesis Author Explain Her Less Costly Retrofit Option


LBREPORT.com is reader and advertiser supported. Support independent news in LB similar to the way people support NPR and PBS stations. We're not non-profit so it's not tax deductible but $49.95 (less than an annual dollar a week) helps keep us online.
(Dec. 8, 2014, 10:45 a.m.) -- LBREPORT.com has learned that a cost estimate of $30 million, cited in a Columbia University Master of Science graduate student's thesis recommending a retrofit of Long Beach City Hall (LBREPORT.com previous coverage click here) has been discussed between the thesis author and an expert directing cost-management services for a major firm that provides consulting services on construction projects.

The cost-management expert tells LBREPORT.com (Dec. 8) that in the context of having read the thesis and offering personal and initial, quick and with-caveats estimate, he offered a rough range of $35-$45 million (guidance of a number in the $35-45M range) which is subject to additional information and a closer review of various factors. A more precise estimate is being prepared for correspondence to the thesis author anticipated later this week.

[Scroll down for further]




The latest estimate is now the second by a professional (in addition to the Master of Science thesis estimate) to indicate that a City Hall retrofit might be accomplished roughly in the range of $30-$50 million.

As reported in December 2013 by LBREPORT.com, the principal in an award winning LB-based architectural firm, Cameron Crockett of LB's Ultra-Unit Architectural Studio, has indicated that a City Hall retrofit (adaptive reuse) could be accomplished for roughly $30 million, and indicated he building could additionally be made current-code compliant (for ADA and other purposes) for a total for roughly $45 million and should basically come in at under $50 million. (LBREPORT.com coverage here.)

On December 7, 2014, the Columbia U Master of Science thesis author, Talene Montgomery, discussed her thesis and its lower cost retrofit approach with LBREPORT.com. During the conversation, Ms. Montgomery mentioned the quick review by the cost-management expert, and LBREPORT.com followed up this morning (Dec. 8.)

To hear our conversation (extended audio, edits indicated by "whoosh" sound), click here.

As previously reported by LBREPORT.com, Ms. Montgomery's retrofit thesis allows use of City Hall during its retrofit, increases usable City Hall space (meeting a city-management RFP requirement) and doesn't shrink the current size of LB's Main Library (which city management's RFP and two dueling proposals would do.)

Ms. Montgomery indicates she's not taking a position one way or the other one whether the City Council should or shouldn't pursue a P3 financing arrangement for a new Civic Center on December 9. Her thesis analysis of a retrofit option is independent of what the Council may or may not choose to do.


Retrofit showing connections across outer columns. Exhibit from thesis


Exhibit from thesis

Long Beach city management, and City Council majorities under now-exited Mayor Bob Foster, consistently declined to issue a Request for Proposals to seek bids that could provide marketplace costs for a City Hall retrofit. Instead, a Council majority (which included now-Mayor Robert Garcia) directed "peer review" of previous seismic studies from which city management proffered an estimated City Hall retrofit cost (current dollars) of $194 million.

City management has used its estimate of nearly $200 million as its cost basis for recommending that the City Council agree to tear down LB's 1970's-era City Hall and pursue an entire Civic Center rebuild in a "P3" (public-private partnership transaction.) Under the P3 transaction, the City would pay a Council-chosen private entity to finance, design, build, operate and maintain LB's Civic Center for 40 years. The private entity would receive escalating annual rent from the City for 40 years and permanently receive prime located property (under the former LB courthouse) along Ocean Blvd. east of Magnolia Ave. for its private development.

Advertisement

Advertisement

LB's Board of Harbor Commissioners is scheduled to discuss and could vote tonight (Mon. Dec. 8) on whether to take part in the proposed P3 Civic Center transaction (locating a new Port HQ in a new Civic Center under some type of Port financial participation, details not yet available, that would reduce the City's cost share.)

The next night (Dec. 9), the Long Beach City Council is scheduled to discuss and possibly vote on whether to authorize city management to negotiate and enter into a binding contract for an exclusive negotiating process that is ultimately intended to culminate in the P3 transaction for the new Civic Center. LBREPORT.com coverage, including link to city management's Dec. 9 detailed agendizing memo, which its description of its recommended action's benefits, costs and risks is here.

Advertisement


Advertisement

LBREPORT.com plans to carry tonight's (Dec. 8) Harbor Commission meeting LIVE on our front page (www.LBREPORT.com) starting at 6 p.m. and Tuesday's Dec. 9 City Council meeting LIVE on starting at 5 p.m.

Developing. Further to follow on LBREPORT.com.



blog comments powered by Disqus

Recommend LBREPORT.com to your Facebook friends:


Follow LBReport.com with:

Twitter

Facebook

RSS

Return To Front Page

Contact us: mail@LBReport.com














Carter Wood Floors
Hardwood Floor Specialists
Call (562) 422-2800 or (714) 836-7050


Copyright © 2014 LBReport.com, LLC. All rights reserved. Terms of Use/Legal policy, click here. Privacy Policy, click here