HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8648 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8648
` To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 21' 2004
SUBJECT: FORT WORTH COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER
The purpose of this Informal Report is to update Council on the status of previously approved improvements
to the Fort Worth Community Arts Center(FWCAC).
On December 9, 2003 (M&C G-14190) Council authorized the use of $50,000 from the Specially Funded
Capital Projects Fund for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and $131,500 from the Capital Projects
Reserve Fund for the following improvements to the Fort Worth Community Arts Center(FWCAC):
- $25,000 for a ramp from the parking lot to the main offices
- $25,000 for a wheelchair lift replacement in the main gallery
$30,000 to replace a cooling tower
$100,000 to replace a chiller
$1,500 to replace a heat pump
The wheelchair lift replacement has been completed at a cost of $17,000. The proposed ramp from the
parking lot to the main office area has been determined to be cost prohibitive, as it would necessitate some
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major modifications to the FWCAC freight elevator. The most cost effective alternative to the ramp has
been determined to be the addition of a wheelchair lift at the main entrance stairwell. Adding this lift will
require $17,000 from the Specially Funded Capital Project Fund for ADA in addition to the $50,000 already
authorized.
In planning the replacement of the 3 components of the heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system
indicated in the M&C (i.e. a cooling tower, a chiller, and a heat pump) it was determined that a more prudent
investment of the allocated funding would be as follows:
- $25,000 for maintenance and repair to existing heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC)
system components to increase system reliability
- $20,000 for a full engineering evaluation of the entire (HVAC) system to recommend a
comprehensive upgrade project
- $86,500 for engineering design of the comprehensive project
The comprehensive project could potentially be financed via a municipal lease so that the capital cost can be
spread over a period of up to 30 years. The annual lease payment should be partially offset by energy
savings realized by upgrading the very old and inefficient HVAC system that currently exists at the FWCAC.
Staff intends to proceed with the plan outlined above unless directed otherwise. Questions can be directed to
Greg Simmons,Facilities Manager at 392-7862 or Libby Watson Assistant City Manager at 817-392-6183.
Charles R. Boswell
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS