Title
A Resolution directing the City Manager to proceed with the design development of a new trolley maintenance and storage facility located at 525 South Dixie Highway, Coral Gables, including renovations and additions to Fire Station 2; and authorizing the utilization of existing capital improvement project funds allocated to Fire Station 2, for the development of the design criteria package.
Department Head Recommendation
Approval.
Brief History
On August 4th, 2014 the City Commission approved a settlement agreement with Astor Trolley, LLC for the development of a project at 4111 LeJeune Road. The agreement requires that the City vacate the current trolley maintenance and storage operations at this site in a time period that allows for the new development to be processed expediently. It was also discussed at this meeting that the current Fire Station 2 site located at 525 South Dixie Highway, Coral Gables appears to be a feasible location for a new trolley facility to co-locate on this site. During this planning/design phase, a Title VI equity analysis is being requested and the eventual final decision on siting will be subject to that study.
Staff has secured the consulting firm of AECOM Engineering to further evaluate and plan a future trolley maintenance and storage facility to be co-located at the Fire Station 2 site. Staff has further directed AECOM to evaluate the operational needs of the Fire Department at this station so needed improvements and expansion could be included in the overall site development.
At the September 23rd Commission meeting, staff will be presenting a proposed concept plan for development of a new trolley facility and Fire Station 2 upgrades and expansion. The proposed plans meet the current and future needs for the City’s trolley operations and also address the much needed upgrades and expansion for the Fire Station 2 facility. The preliminary estimate for these facilities is approximately five million for the Fire Station 2 renovation and expansion and 5.2 million for the new trolley facility.
It is important to proceed with development of the new trolley facility as expediently as possible, in order to minimize time that will be needed for a temporary operational facility. To this end, staff is proposing to expedite this project using a design build project delivery methodology. At this time, staff is requesting Commission approval to proceed with development of the design criteria package, which is the first phase required as part of a design build project, and to utilize a portion of existing capital improvement project funds currently allocated to Fire Station 2 for this purpose. During the design criteria development, the project estimate will be further refined and staff will present updated estimates and funding recommendations for Commission approval.