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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-05-22-TFMP-min77SR TOWN OF LEXINGTON a Ad hoc Townwide Facilities Master Planning Committee k_ APRIL IT � k1 NG'V Minutes Town of Lexington Ad hoc Townwide Facilities Master Planning Committee (AhTFMPC) May 22, 2013 Place and time: Public Services Building, 8:30 a.m. Members Present: Bill Kennedy, Chair; John P. Carroll; Peter Kelley, Selectman; Jeanne Krieger; Richard Pagett; Joe Pato, Selectman; Jessie Steigerwald, School Committee Members Absent: none Liaisons Present: David Kanter, Capital Expenditures Committee; Alan Levine, Appropriation Committee; Mark Corr, Chief of Police; Linda Vine, Town Manager's Office; John Wilson, Chief, Fire Department Liaisons Absent: James Goell, CCTF; Joseph McWeeney, Permanent Building Committee (PBC); Paul Lapointe, Council on Aging (COA); Laura Hussong, Community Center Task Force (CCTF) Also present: Ken Buckland, The Cecil Group; Pat Goddard, Department of Public Facilities; Bob Pressman, Community Preservation Committee; George Burnell, resident; Becky Barrentine, Hastings PTA Recording Secretary: Laurie Lucibello The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m. 1. Comments: Mr. Kennedy suggested that the purpose for today's meeting is to draft an executive summary for the BOS on each building with the committees recommendations and priorities. Ken Buckland started discussion draft Report Chapter 4- Alternatives starting with the Fire and Police Stations. Discussion amongst committee members on preferences, priorities and site locations. Peter Kelley commented that in his opinion the Liberty site would be the best location to be designed to fit a combined facility. Only other site mentioned was Walgreens, and to take that from private business would be a mistake in his opinion. Walgreens is very important and used by many citizens. Jess Steigerwald commented this would be the only opportunity for the BOS to explore the possibility of a combined facility. Fire and Police work together in an emergency. Both want a training center, shelter why build two. Richard Pagett agrees with Jessie, he feels the Liberty site is under utilized. If ever there was a time to use eminent domain it seems like it would be at this time for this purpose. Jeanne Krieger sees no advantage to a combined facility, and would like visibility down town. Joe Pato commented he would like to develop a public safety building as quickly as possible and avoid eminent domain. He can not see a compelling case for a combined facility. John Carroll commented he would like to see one building. Bill Kennedy feels all 3 options are viable, he would prefer to see both police and fire relocated, combining has advantages. David Kanter asked the committee to consider if having a combined facility on one road is the wisest choice? Further discussion about the combined facility and traffic on Bedford Street. Its agreed traffic is frequent and becoming more problematic. This is nothing new, occurs on many streets from Route 128, and you have to anticipate the worst conditions. Alone this does not take away the worthiness of the Liberty site. Community Center Purchase of 33 Marrett Road has resolved this need. Hosmer House Under utilized, not situated properly. Pursue opportunities to move it to where it can be used appropriately, perhaps housing. Munroe School Committee discussed the use of Munroe by the Art Community. During planning of Community Center, perhaps some elements could move from Munroe. Other options include selling or creating housing. Stone Building Discussion included that the Library Trustees, through a public process, identified the desire to restore the original footprint, add an elevator, and use the 2nd floor Lyceum for meetings. Further discussion; important role in the 1800's and could be part of a social studies program, Trustees concept makes sense for Historical and educational purposes, and why keep adding space that someone has to staff and maintain with no clear need. Cary Memorial Bldg. Process has been started, encourage it to go forward. Visitors Center Discussion was that the Visitors Center is in the right location, but it's size and bathrooms are inadequate. Need clarity on programming before adding on to size. LHS Discussion to let residents know that the committee agrees in 10 years the need for a new high school will be a priority, so to proceed with other projects now to provide funding in the future. Bob Pressman asked how a committee could endorse the building of a new school without any discussion on financials or educational statistics. Jess Steigerwald responded that the deficiencies are in the building and building systems not the education. Hastings Hastings should go as quickly as possible, building is affecting program and services. School Administration Building Functions in this location were discussed and explained. This is an opportunity. It is not an immediate need. However there may be advantages to having school leadership with municipal leadership. Muzzey Committee recommends disposition. Waldorf School Currently a 20 year lease. If we can not utilize the Stone building we should try to tie the Stone bldg. to the school. The Committee then asked that Ken Buckland prepare a draft of the Executive Summary, including pros and cons, that can be distributed by Friday. 2. Minutes: Motion to approve meeting minutes from May 15, 2013 Motion: Peter Kelley 2 John Carroll 7 -0 3. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 10:16 AM Materials used at the meeting: ➢ Agenda for May 22, 2013 ➢ Draft Final report Chapter, 4 Alternatives ➢ Draft Meeting Minutes for April 15. 4 ALTERNATIVES (DRAFT) The consultant team developed a full range of alternatives for the following municipal facilities: Central Fire Station, Police Station, Community Center (including Senior Center), Hosmer House, Munroe School, High School, Hastings School, Cary Memorial Building, Visitors Center and Stone Building. Alternatives consid- ered various options for facility renovations, relocation, co- location, reuse and reconstruction. These options were reviewed and augmented by the Ad Hoc Town - wide Facilities Master Planning Committee. Members of the com- mittee also provided the consultant team with their own preferred alternative, recording their input on the graphic worksheet shown on the next page. Using the committee's input and drawing from the existing conditions analysis, the consultant team developed three alternative scenarios for relocating, reusing, renovat- ing and /or reconstructing municipal facilities in Lexington. These alternative scenarios, which will be described below, have three distinct themes: combine and reuse, sequential projects and on site. They all aim to best meet the space and program needs of municipal departments while improving service to the Lexington community. Each of the alternative scenarios focuses on the needs and potential futures of the Cen- tral Fire Station, Police Station, School Administration, Senior /Community Center and High School. The Hosmer House has also been included in the scenarios, as it is vacant and centrally located near many other municipal facilities. In all three scenarios, there are several elements that remain consistent. Specifically, the Visitors Center and Cary Memorial Building would be renovated and improved in their existing locations. As mentioned earlier, Town Meeting this year approved spending $550,000 in CPA funds for the design and construction documents necessary to reno- vate Cary Memorial. The work will set the stage for future renovation of the building. All of the scenarios also include the renovation or reconstruction and expansion of the Hastings School in its current location. The School Committee has recommended in its 10 Year Facility Master Plan that the elementary school project occur in 2017. The Stone Building and Munroe School would remain in their existing locations under all of the scenarios, though specific programs for both buildings have not been developed. ® ■ E LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS ALTERNATIVES WORKSHEET PROJECTS ®..` Central Fire Station O Cn � A Cn = a Police Station Cz C CD w -, Community Center X n Hosmer House D Munroe School 10110 E ■ 0 F High School AM ■ Hastings School �i G ►nnnl Cary Memorial Building H t` Visitors Center I' I ice- Stone Building J ThelCecil Group Planning and Design SITES T� r Central Fire Station 1 a 11 Scottish Rite Site Police Station Liberty Mutual Site W F Muzzey Senior Center 3 Hosmer House 4 Worthen Road Site 13 Other 4 Munroe School 1111 5 1 A P High School 6 Hastings School 7 3 ® Cary Memorial Building I 8 m Visitors Center 9 i Win Stone Building 10 TOWNWIDE FACILITIES MASTER PLAN 0 ■ The three alternative scenarios are described below and include assumptions, estimated project costs, associated service impacts, and feasibility and other considerations. Sev- eral findings based on the existing conditions analysis as well as input from the Ad Hoc Townwide Facilities Master Planning Committee, liaisons and community were consid- ered in the following alternative scenarios. These findings included the following: CENTRAL FIRE STATION • The existing building is inadequate in size, with roughly 25,134 square feet required (compared to the existing 11,841 square feet). • The existing building has physical deficiencies (e.g., inefficient HVAC). The site is excellent in terms of location and response times but is small and physi- cally constrained. POLICE STATION • The existing building is inadequate in size, with roughly 28,308 square feet required (compared to the existing 13,060 square feet). • The existing building has physical deficiencies (e.g., inefficient HVAC). • The site is excellent in terms of location and visibility and could potentially accom- modate a building expansion, though the Hosmer House is located nearby. COMMUNITY CENTER • The existing senior center in the Muzzey building is inadequate in size, having less than half of the 21,000 gross square feet recommended. • The Town of Lexington desires a new community center that includes the senior center. Town Meeting approved purchasing the Scottish Rite facility at 33 Marrett Road for a new community center. HIGH SCHOOL • The existing building is inadequate in size, with roughly 378,600 square feet required. • The existing building has physical deficiencies (e.g., inefficient electrical and plumb- ing systems). The School Committee has projected reconstructing the high school in 2021 in the 10 Year Facilities Master Plan. W■ E LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS Alternative Scenario 1: Combine and Reuse Facilities CONCEF This scenario seeks to combine and reuse municipal facilities in Lexington. Specifically, this is the only scenario that would combine the police and fire stations into a new joint public safety building. The consultant team interviewed the Police and Fire chiefs about this option, and both would consider a combined police /fire facility, provided each de- partment has the space it needs. (Operations of the Police and Fire departments could not be combined.) The chiefs also stated that only a few spaces could actually be com- bined such as a training room, exercise room and dispatch center, which is already a joint facility. The consultant team gathered information about other combined public safety buildings in Massachusetts and the pros and cons of such facilities, and this information has been provided in Appendix XX. The Ad Hoc Townwide Facilities Master Planning Committee expressed an interest in learning more about these and other joint facilities as this option is explored in Lexington. This scenario also seeks to reuse Lexington facilities for Town purposes. For example, it would move the School Administration to the existing Police Station on Massachusetts Avenue or to the existing High School property if a new school was built there. PROGRAM SUMMARY • The Police Station and Fire Station would be combined into a newly- constructed joint facility and moved to a new site, such as the Liberty Mutual property on Bed- ford Street. Note: The Liberty Mutual building would be demolished if the property were purchased. • The Senior Center would move to 33 Marrett Road and be incorporated into a new Community Center. • A new High School would be reconstructed in phases with or without School Ad- ministration at the existing High School site. • School Administration would move into the current Police Station (reuse existing facility) or would be incorporated into a new High School at the existing High School site. • Note: The Hosmer House would not be incorporated or moved. • Upgrades and maintenance would be made to other facilities. TOWNWIDE FACILITIES MASTER PLAN 0 0 ALTERNATIVE SCENARIO 1 ESTIMATED PROJECT COSTS Combined Police and Fire at New Site Property Purchase (3 acres) $3,397,680 Construction $18,374,175 Disposition (Sale) of Land ($3,023,000) Total assessed value of Fire Station School Administration to Police Station (other option: incorporate into new High School) Renovation $2,750,000 Community Center to 33 Marret Road Renovation with gym $11,893,717 are mr ' LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS SERVICE IMPACTS • This would likely require smaller Police /Fire station programs due to site constraints at the Liberty Mutual site. * Note: This would not be the case if a larger site could be located to accommodate the main stations of both departments. • Response times for the Fire Department would not likely be significantly altered, as the Liberty Mutual site is not far from the existing Fire Station on Bedford Street. • There would be no breaks in police and fire services because the two departments would move into a new combined Police /Fire Facility when it was complete. • The Marrett Road property would provide adequate space for a new Community Center, which would include senior services that currently operate out of an inad- equately -sized facility. • School Administration would be in a more central location if moved to the Police Station site, thereby creating a centralized area for Town and School offices. Synergies would be created if School Administration were moved to the High School campus. FEASIBILITY AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS • This would require acquiring private property for the combined Police /Fire Facility, which adds to project costs. The willingness of the property owner to sell the land and the timing of a potential sale are also unknown. • There might not be enough space for a combined Police /Fire Facility on the Liberty Mutual site if that were the new site, and configuration on that site could be chal- lenging. • This scenario reuses the current Police and Fire stations for Town purposes. • No swing space would be required for the Police and Fire stations if a combined Police /Fire Facility were built on a new site. • This scenario does not affect the historic Hosmer House, so it could be used for other purposes. • The Police Station, which is in a historic district, would be preserved. TOWNWIDE FACILITIES MASTER PLAN 0 0 Alternative Scenario 2: Sequential Projects CONCEPT This scenario allows for projects to be carried out sequentially, meaning they would be completed in strategic phases. This timing of projects would eliminate the need for swing space because a Town department would be able to remain in place while its fu- ture home — a renovated or newly constructed building — was being completed. Specifi- cally, this scenario would sequence projects so that the Fire Station would move first to a new location, freeing up its current site for the Police Station to occupy. PROGRAM SUMMARY • A new Fire Station would be constructed on a new site, such as the Liberty Mutual property on Bedford Street. * Note: The Liberty Mutual building would be demolished if the property were purchased. • The Police Station would move to the current Fire Station site. * Note: The current Fire Station building would be renovated and expanded to accommodate the Police Station. • The Senior Center would move to 33 Marrett Road and be incorporated into a new Community Center. • A new High School would be reconstructed in phases with or without School Ad- ministration at the existing High School site. • School Administration would move into the current Police Station (reuse existing facility) or would be incorporated into a new High School at the existing High School site. * Note: The Hosmer House would not be incorporated or moved. • Upgrades and maintenance would be made to other facilities. M■ E LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS ESTIMATED PROJECT COSTS Fire Station to New S Property Purchase (2 acres) $2,265,120 Construction $9,425,250 Police Station to Fire Station Demolition $179,850 Construction $10,990,500 School Administration to Police Station Renovation $2,750,000 Community Center to 33 Marrett Road Renovation with gym $11,893,717 * Costs are FY 2014 unless otherwise noted ALTERNATIVE SCENARIO 2 TOWNWIDE FACILITIES MASTER PLAN 0 ■ B SERVICE IMPACTS • This could require a smaller Police Station program due to the size and site constraints of the existing Fire Station site. • The program required for the Fire Station would likely be accommodated at a new site such as the Liberty Mutual site. • Response times for the Fire Department would not likely be significantly altered if a new Fire Station was built at the Liberty Mutual site or another property not far from the existing station on Bedford Street. • There would be no breaks in police and fire services due to the sequencing of projects. • The Marrett Road property would provide adequate space for a new Community Center, which would include senior services that currently operate out of an inad- equately -sized facility. • School Administration would be in a more central location if moved to the Police Station site, thereby creating a centralized area for Town and School offices. Synergies would be created if School Administration were moved to the High School campus. FEASIBILITY AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS • This scenario would allow for sequencing of projects without the need for swing space. • This would require acquiring private property — the Liberty Mutual site or another site — for a new Fire Station. The willingness of the property owner to sell the land and the timing of a potential sale are also unknown. • If the Liberty Mutual site was purchased, site configuration of a new Fire Station could be challenging, as the property is long and narrow. • Site configuration of a Police Station at the current Fire Station — with an expansion — could be challenging given the size of the property. • This scenario does not affect the historic Hosmer House, so it could be used for other purposes. • The Police and Fire station sites would be reused for Town purposes. • The Police and Fire stations, which are in historic districts, would be preserved. a N LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS Alternative Scenario 3: On Site CONGEP i This scenario seeks to renovate and expand Town facilities on site to the extent possible. Specifically, the Police and Fire station would be renovated at their existing locations, and the High School would be reconstructed at its existing property, with the incorpora- tion of School Administration. PROGRAM SUMMARY • The Police Station would remain at its current location; the building would be renovated and an addition would be built. * Note: The Hosmer House would likely be required to move to a new location. • The current Fire Station would be demolished, and a new Fire Station would be built on the existing site and the parcel behind it at 8 Camilia Place. * Note: The parcel at 8 Camilia Place is privately owned and would have to be purchased. • The Senior Center would move to 33 Marrett Road and be incorporated into a new Community Center. • A new High School would be reconstructed in phases with School Administration at the existing High School site. • Upgrades and maintenance would be made to other facilities. ESTIMATED PROJECT COSTS Fire Station on Site Property Purchase $702,187 (8 Camilia Place behind fire station) Swing Space $1,000,000 Construction $13,578,165 Police Station on Site Swing Space $500,000 Construction $12,555,585 School Administration with High School Community Center to 33 Marrett Road Renovation with gym $11,893,717 $40,229,654 * Costs are FY 2014 unless otherwise noted TOWNWIDE FACILITIES MASTER PLAN 0 ■ m ALTERNATIVE SCENARIO 3 SERVICE IMPACTS • The Police and Fire stations would continue to be centrally- located, so the visibility of the Police Station and response times of the Fire Department would not be impacted. • The full Police and Fire station programs would likely be accommodated, as the new or renovated /expanded facilities would be larger than the existing buildings. • The Marrett Road property would provide adequate space for a new Community Center, which would include senior services that currently operate out of an inad- equately -sized facility. • Synergies would be created if School Administration were moved to the High School campus. FEASIBILITY AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS • Swing space for the Fire and Police stations would be required. • This would require acquiring private property — 8 Camilia Place — for a renovated/ expanded Fire Station. The willingness of the property owner to sell the site and the timing of a potential sale are also unknown. • A new location for the Hosmer House would likely be required. (The building could be required by the Historic Commission to remain within the historic district.) • The timing /phasing of the projects would not be dictated by this scenario, allowing for individual projects to occur whenever the Town so desired. • The Police and Fire stations would be reused — continuation of current Town uses. • The Police and Fire stations, which are in historic districts, would be preserved. M■ N LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS Recommendations The consultant team and Ad Hoc Townwide Facilities Master Planning Committee re- viewed the three alternative scenarios and determined that they should all be considered moving forward. As evidenced in the descriptions above, there are several outstanding issues — particularly with regard to the Police and Fire stations — that need to be resolved prior to pursuing a preferred alternative scenario or individual projects. (The issue of confirming the program and space requirements of the Police and Fire stations has been raised throughout this planning process and should be resolved.) In other cases, the Town can begin taking steps to address both facility and programmatic needs. The fol- lowing are recommendations to help the Town advance its near- and long -term goals. CENTRAL FIRE STATION The Town should begin further studies to determine the following: • Can the property contiguous to the current site be purchased so as to expand the size of the area available for fire station use? • Is there some other site that might be both highly advantageous over the possibly - expanded current site and available for Town use? • How can the Town deal with the issue of swing space should it become necessary? POLICE STATION The Town should begin further studies to determine the following: What constraints exist in regard to building replacement imposed by the Center Historic District location? • What space could be available given various assumptions regarding the relocation of the Hosmer House (e.g., no relocation, relocation on the present site, or relocation to a distant site)? • How can the Town deal with the issue of swing space should it become necessary? COMBINED (OR CO- LOCATED) POLICE /FIRE STATION The goal of co- locating the Police and Fire departments in a combined facility is not of sufficient importance that it should stand in the way of new /renovated fire and police stations at separate sites. The Town, however, should consider potential opportunities should any become available. HIGH SCHOOL The School Committee, School Administration, Public Facilities Department, Perma- nent Building Committee and others should analyze in greater detail the need to do major work on the High School. The goal should be to get a better handle on the project TOWNWIDE FACILITIES MASTER PLAN 0 0 M requirements, scope, possible approaches, rough cost estimates and timing; this infor- mation should be used in future planning. HASTINGS SCHOOL The School Department, Public Facilities Department, Permanent Building Committee and others should work to determine, confirm or update space and program require- ments for the Hastings School as well as potential concept plans and costs associated with replacing or renovating and enlarging the facility. CARY MEMORIAL BUILDING The Town should proceed with the Cary Memorial project, the initial stages of which have Town Meeting approval to be funded by CPA money. Reviews of the overall plan should be conducted after each important milestone is reached. VISITORS CENTER The Town should consider enlarging the Visitors Center so that it can better serve the community as well as the numerous visitors from throughout New England and beyond. ■ E LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS