05-01-2023 Council Work Session Packet

Home Search

WS – Item 2 WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT Work Session Item No. 2 Date: May 1, 2023 To: City Council From: Michael Grochala Re: Public Works Building – Site Selection Background At the April 3, 2023 work session the City Council directed staff to initiate a selection process for architectural services for the proposed Public Works Facility. The Council suggested that the architectural services also include a site selection component. In 2017 CNH Architects completed a Public Works Site Analysis and Space Needs Study. That study evaluated both the existing public works site and the Birch Street property adjacent to Fire Station 2. The existing site analysis provided options for both remodel and a new facility. The Birch Street site, while scoring moderately higher, required operation of split facilities. Salt and material storage would still be located at the existing public works site. The main attribute of the site was the availability of municipal sanitary sewer and water to service the site. In 2019 the focus shifted to preserving the existing public works site. Oertel Architects were retained to evaluate the site with the expectation of downsizing the building to simply accommodate vehicle storage and reduce initial construction costs. Since that time Water Tower No. 3 and Tower Park have been constructed on the Birch Street alternative site. While the balance land (52 acres) is still available the land has previously been planned for a community recreation complex. From a site selection perspective staff is seeking direction from the council on the scope of options under consideration. Is the council looking to evaluate sites on existing city property or should the scope include new land acquisition? When looking long term there does not appear to be any operational efficiencies with relocation of the Public Works to a new site. Available land with sufficient size and transportation access is limited to the southeast or northwest quadrants of the city. The existing City owned properties are likely the best available locations. Land east of 35E is likely less desirable for purposes of public works accessibility.