HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 9360INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
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To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
No. 9360
February 15, 2011
Page 1 of 2
SUBJECT: PROGRESS REPORT ON OPENING OF THE SATELLITE
SOUTHWEST MUNICIPAL COURT FACILITY
The purpose of this Report is to provide the City Council with an update on the progress schedule for the
opening of the new Satellite Southwest Municipal Court facility at 3741 SW Loop 820. The new facility is
being developed through the renovation of the former Southwest Bank property located near Trail Lake
Drive on IH820/20.
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In March of 2010, the City was approached by representatives of the former Southwest Bank property who
indicated that the property was available for lease or lease to purchase for City operations. City staff
reviewed the property and improvements and determined that the site and improvements would provide an
excellent facility to serve the needs of citizens in Southwest Fort Worth by providing Municipal Court and
other City services by the Water, Code Compliance and Law departments.
Staff met with the Southwest Bank representatives and developed terms of a lease to purchase agreement
for Council consideration. In August of 2010 the draft terms were reviewed with the City Council. The
major terms of the agreement provide for the following:
• A 10 year term on the 30,600 SF building where the building becomes the property of the City at
the end of the lease;
• Donation of 2.097 acres of land to the City upon execution of the lease and acceptance of the
improvements;
• 110 parking spaces and a shared parking agreement with the adjacent new Southwest Bank;
• Shared use of the signage post; and
• Building finish out financed as part of the annual lease payment.
Progress
On October 5, 2010 the City Council approved a 10 Year Lease to Purchase Agreement with the 3741 SW
Loop 820 LP ( SWLLP) for the development of a new satellite Municipal Court facility (M &C C- 24515)
with the major terms outlined above.
Staff has successfully negotiated the 10 year lease to purchase agreement authorized by Council with
SWLLP and has provided them with build -out specifications. SWLLP purchased the 3741 SW Loop 820
property in late December of 2010 and has begun the renovation of the facility to meet the needs of the
City.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
E11
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
No.9360
February 15, 2011
Page 2 of 2
SUBJECT: PROGRESS REPORT ON OPENING OF THE SATELLITE
SOUTHWEST MUNICIPAL COURT FACILITY
SWLLP recently advised Staff that the manufacturing and delivery of the new elevator for the facility may
take up to 5 months. The new elevator is needed to provide ADA compliant access to the facility. We
have asked SWLLP to provide us a firm date for the elevator delivery and installation.
Opening Schedule
Staff previously advised the Council that it was targeting a mid - February opening for the new Municipal
Court facility that was predicated on the execution of the lease to purchase agreement and subsequent
purchase of the subject property by SWLLP in early November. Due to unanticipated delays associated
with the lease execution, the closing on the property and the elevator installation the original target for
opening the entire facility will not be met.
SWLLP has indicated that it proposes to have the main floor of the facility renovated and ready to occupy
by the end of March. Full completion of the second floor and lower level will not be possible until the new
elevator is installed.
Staff is proposing a "soft opening" of the main floor of the facility on or around April Is' and a grand
opening when the elevator installation is completed and the facility is fully renovated in June. The "soft
opening" will allow the two courts to conduct regular business and citizens will be able to pay their water
bills on site.
The project team is meeting on -site weekly with SWLLP and its Contractor to ensure that the project is
completed quickly and in accordance with the City's needs and this revised schedule.
We will keep you apprised of our progress through monthly updates and will alert you should there be any
significant deviation in the schedule outlined above. Please let me know if you have any questions on this
project.
-O
Higgins
,Interim City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS