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| Photo: The Huerfano World Journal |
"I get tired of asking but how many bids did the City get to bring the Library up to code? And, what is the amount of those bids. There has to be more than one bid to know anything at all. If it's just one bid how do we really know the truth?"
Here is how this entire exchange went:
Gabe Engeland: We’ve been asked this question a few times, here are the main elements which inform cost: electrical survey, engineering structural analysis, engineering and property condition assessment, ADA analysis and report, Library Facility Master Plan (this includes elements of ADA, accessibility, building condition, and structural analysis). The estimate for bids will be different based on the how many projects we bid at once and which items are urgent and which can be phased in overtime. The estimate from the "Master Plan" report is $1.398 million. Each of these should be available online in easy to access format soon.
The Tattler: Is there a similar "master plan" (or any kind of cost estimate) associated with moving the Library to the YAC and building any additional space? I believe the reason I get asked this is some people are analytical. I think they're uncomfortable with the survey card which is more intuitive. I can see why the city would want to build a consensus before getting into the actual numbers, but I suspect you will get a large number of no move results because some feel that without numbers they're being denied real information.
Gabe Engeland: The estimate(s) for the move will not be as in-depth as the Library Master Plan, but they do provide a good frame of reference for a range of what actual costs will be. In addition to the space and parking analysis we also know what the square footage cost for construction is and can use that to gauge what an addition/retrofit of the community center would cost. As you stated, we don’t want to put a lot of money into a plan to move if the community desires the library to stay at its current location.
The Tattler: OK. But don't you think there are a lot of people who are not going to be comfortable with the survey if they can't see the numbers first? What should their opinion be based upon? Sierra Madre has a lot of residents from the managerial class. That is how many of them think.
Gabe Engeland: It's certainly an interesting question. People who respond to the survey will have to determine how they value the different types of information and data to inform their response. I think Sierra Madre residents will be able to put a weight on a bid vs. an assessment vs. an analysis, along with several other factors, and will ultimately determine which of the options they believe to be best for current and future generations of Library users. I also agree that the "cost" analysis will be most important for some residents, but for others it will be location or their position on development or the opportunity to voice their desire to expand or reduce services. There certainly are a lot of variables to this decision. We are trying to compile and post everything we have so the information is available and easy to access.
The Tattler: Will it be there in time for the survey card?
Gabe Engeland: Yes. We will post all of the information we have available in one location online and include the web address on the survey card. We will also provide links to the web page on our social media and in our newsletter.
The Tattler: Will it be there in time for the survey card?
Gabe Engeland: Yes. We will post all of the information we have available in one location online and include the web address on the survey card. We will also provide links to the web page on our social media and in our newsletter.
The Tattler: Good news. When will everything be on-line?
Gabe Engeland: Prior to anyone receiving the first survey! We are still working on the FAQ and pulling some of the documents together.
Mod: You heard it here first. Just think of The Tattler as your 6th Councilmember. I'll post all of that rhythm just as soon as it shows up. And then we can talk about it.
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