TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to enter into a contract with MDM Architects in an amount not to exceed $650,835, and execute all documents necessary for the architectural feasibility study and conceptual design for the Belmont Plaza Pool revitalization project. (District 3)
DISCUSSION
The Belmont Plaza Pool (Pool) was originally constructed in 1964. In 1968, the Pool hosted the United States Olympic swimming trials. Since then, the Pool has been an attractive venue for high school and NCAA swimming, diving, and water polo events.
Among the regular events is the annual Janet Evans Invitational Swim Meet. Long Beach has a long and distinguished history with world class aquatic events, including the 1932 U.S. Olympic diving trials, the 1932 Olympic rowing events, the 1984 Olympic sailing events, and the 2004 U.S. Olympic swimming trials. The latter event was held in a temporary pool in the downtown area, just over two miles west of the Belmont Plaza Pool.
The existing pool building was constructed before current seismic codes were adopted and is in need of a major seismic retrofit. In addition, the Pool infrastructure, including plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are old, worn, and inefficient. Financially, the facility has operated at a substantial loss for several years.
The City of Long Beach seeks to renovate and/or replace the current facility at the same site with an aquatic facility that is seismically safe, energy and operationally efficient, and capable of financial self-sufficiency. The facility envisioned would be capable of hosting competitive events to the level of NCAA swimming and possibly, diving championship standards; accommodate fitness, high school practice, and learn-to-swim activities; and attract a high level of use for recreational swim activities with zero depth entry, slides, and other amenities. Incorporation of a fitness facility to help boost revenues and increase utilization is also a possibility.
The first phase of the project will include a feasibility study and conceptual design. The feasibility study will determine whether to rehabilitate the existing facility or to construct a new facility. The tasks for Phase One include programming review, existing facilities site review, public outreach and meetings, cost estimates, and conceptual design. Future phases for construction design and construction will be contingent upon available funding.
A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process was conducted to secure professional architectural services for the feasibility study and conceptual design services. Twenty firms submitted proposals and six were invited to participate in a formal interview. The top two firms were given a final interview, and MDM Architects was selected based upon their proposal, presentation and interviews, expertise, experience, success rates, references, and range of services.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson on September 29, 2008, and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on September 30,2008.
SUSTAINABILITY
The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System ~ encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices.
USGBC has done this by creating and implementing universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria. LEED is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED is the standard for the City's Green Building Policy.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on October 21, 2008, in order to move forward with Phase One of the project.
FISCAL IMPACT
The contract award is for a maximum of $650,835. Sufficient funds are budgeted in the Tidelands Fund (TF) in the Public Works Department (PW).
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
PHIL T. HESTER
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
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APPROVED: |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |