Wrecking Ball

Three years ago, in September 2009, I wrote a blog post with an update on the proposed Village Hall renovation project and on December 19, 2011, I shared a presentation at the BOT meeting with the baseline time and cost estimates for the project at that time.  At the September 24, 2012 BOT Meeting, the Architect and Construction Manager for the project provided a public update.  Now that things are moving ahead with the project,  I just wanted to re-cap recent updates on the single largest project the Village has undertaken in many years.

Since the presentation in 2011, a number of activities have occurred over 2012:

• A bid was advertised and a contract was awarded to Jay Shapiro and Associates for $207,816 as the Construction Manager for the project
• The architect has largely completed the design for the building and completion of Construction Documents is underway
• A decision was reached to temporarily relocate Village Hall staff during the project to mobile offices (i.e., trailers) that will be located on property owned by the Village on 2nd Street
• A decision was reached to implement a geothermal HVAC system and a change order for $53,870 was issued to HMR architects for the design of the HVAC system and the design of the temporary office space in the trailers
• We were informed that an updated asbestos assessment was required in order to perform a proper asbestos abatement.  A contract was issued for $17,750 for the assessment and a separate contract for the abatement will be awarded, once the assessment is completed.

Over the next few months, plans for vacating Village Hall will get underway with the goal to have all staff and equipment out of the building in Q1 2013, so the asbestos abatement can occur.  In parallel, the construction documents will be finalized by the architect, the actual construction project will be put out to bid and a contract will be awarded for construction. 

Currently, it is anticipated that the construction project will begin around June 2013 and last for at least two years with the cost estimate for the entire project currently at approximately $5.7M.  However, until we receive actual proposals to do the work and until the work gets underway the duration and cost is just an estimate, based on the information that we know right now.

Once Village Hall is vacated, it is expected that "formal" Village Meetings (i.e., BOT Meetings, Planning Board Meetings and Board of Adjustment Meetings) will be held at SOPAC and routine committee meetings will be held in the Baird Center.  Further details of this still need to be finalized  and will be communicated publicly at that time.

I share everyone's concerns about the inherent risks for such a costly project, but want to be straightforward about where we are currently and what we expect going forward.  As with ANY project, the budget and duration is likely to change as things progress, but with the guidance of the construction manager and the support of Village staff, the goal is to minimize and mitigate the risks.

I will continue to provide periodic updates as the project evolves.  In the meantime, please feel free to post any questions or comments on this blog or send them to me directly at mgoldberg@southorange.org