BC 2009 07 06 Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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July 6, 2009 (Work Session) Page 1472 Commerce - Courthouse Master Plan Presentation - (Court Study and Master Plan Final Report - Moseley Architects) Kelly Si£ford, Community Development Manager, informed the Board that staff members have begun to develop a Courthouse Master Plan. She introduced architects from Moseley Architects to present information regarding the progress of the development of the plan. Dan Mace of Moseley Architects in Charlotte, reported the County retained Moseley to review Cabarrus County's courthouse needs, utilizations, and efficiencies. He stated the National Center for State Courts were also involved in the evaluation. He reviewed the following information: Moseley evaluated the feasibility of renovating the existing courthouse to meet the County's immediate requirements; options and a master plan were then developed to address future growth; etc. He then introduced Nelda Leon, Director of Criminal Justice Consulting for Moseley Architects, to present more information. Ms. Leon reviewed the following information using a PowerPOint presentation: Moseley evaluated current space deficiencies; the current courthouse has a gross square footage of 75,400 square feet; to meet today's current space requirements, another 56,303 gross square feet were determined to be required; etc. She also reviewed all functions and offices occupying the current courthouse and explained why more space is needed. Throughout the presentation, she answered questions from the Board. Chairman White described the different uses of each courtroom in the current courthouse. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the amount of time each courtroom is used and which type of court is held in each courtroom. Mr. Mace explained that the current courthouse is more deficient in space for support functions rather than in courtroom space. Ms. Leon continued the presentation and reviewed the following: temporary relocation of current offices in the courthouse; additional work space for the County Clerk of Courts Office and District Attorney's Office; the creation of a sound vestibule near the courtrooms; etc. Ms. Leon also reviewed the following three options to meet immediate, near term, and long term courthouse space needs: Option 1) Meet immediate, most critical space shortages for some occupants; relocate some current occupants within and outside the courthouse; renovate current building based on priorities and cost benefit. Total project cost estimate - $2,501,603. Option 2) Build shelled building attached with finished floors to meet 2015 space shortages; operate existing facility and new as one operation. Total project cost estimate - $93,854,281. Option 3) Build complete replacement facility (with expansion to 2030) and demolish or reuse existing as offices. Total project cost estimate - $51,648,415. She and Mr. Mace reviewed each option in depth and answered questions from the Board regarding the following: the location of additional work space for the District Attorney's Office; relocation of the communications tower; the offices that will be located in the shell building as set forth in Option 2; etc. In response to a question from Commissioner Carruth, Mr. Mace explained that an update to the exterior of the existing courthouse would be costly. Responding to a question from Vice Chairman Mynatt, Mr. Mace stated that the City of Concord was not consulted during the development of this plan. John Day, County Manager, clarified that a Cabarrus County Courthouse Planning Committee, comprised of County and courthouse staff, was developed to work with Moseley. He stated this committee discussed in great length the need for public participation and participation by the City of Concord once a plan is developed. Mr. Mace continued the presentation. He reviewed the following: Option 1 will cost approximately $2.5 million, and includes relocating the Community Corrections and Juvenile Probation offices; Option 2 will cost