Posted on April 27, 2020 at 11:10 AM by grodericks grodericks
Atherton Town Center - Project Activity
In mid-March, work on the Town Center Project ceased along with most other construction activity throughout the County due to the declaration of emergency under COVID-19. Projects were allowed to close-out and weatherize, but absent emergencies, projects were shut down for the undeterminable future of COVID-19.
The City Council and Builder's Roundtable Group (which included representatives from the Town Center Contractor S.J. Amoroso) worked to develop a set of guidelines under which all construction activity in the Town could resume. Once developed, these guidelines were to be used to assist private and public construction contractors in managing their project activity and workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The City Council was prepared to adopt the guidelines at their April 1, 2020 City Council meeting; but, on March 31, 2020, a new Shelter-in-Place order was issued that further restricted public and private activity and prevented the resumption of private construction projects through at least May 3, 2020.
The March 31, 2020 Order did provide an opportunity for the continuation of public infrastructure projects and at their April 8, 2020 City Council meeting, the Council was able to make the determination that portions of the Town Center Project were essential and could continue limited construction activity. However, the only work deemed essential under the Order related to the City Hall and Police Building. This is where the contractor has been focusing their limited work effort since resumption of activity on April 9, 2020.
As a result of COVID-19, there will be delays and costs related to the project's completion that have not yet been fully identified.
Live webcams for Library and City Hall/PD Building are active on the Town's website. There is also a project progress photo gallery.
Naming and Donation Opportunities
Construction funding for City Hall, Police Building and Site Improvements ($28.7 million) consists largely of donations and the Town's General Funds. To assist with cash flow during the project's construction timeline, the Town will be issuing a Certificate of Participation (COP). A COP is a short-term funding tool Project used mainly for large, multi-year infrastructure projects. The Town would like to retire this short-term debt sooner than it would be obligated to do so (10-years); alternatively, the Town would like to reduce the total amount of required debt. To do so, additional donations toward the project would be required.
Recently, the City Council mailed a Naming and Donation Opportunities letter to all Atherton residents - this is available online as well. The Council invites the community to become a part of Atherton's history by donating with a Naming Opportunity. The Council identified 20 unique Naming Opportunities connected to the project - some of which have already been selected but there are plenty more opportunities! The City Council will be considering award of the already selected naming opportunities at their May 20 Regular Meeting.
Donations will assist the Town in reducing or eliminating the need for a short-term COP to bridge the revenue flow gap during construction. The opportunities for naming have various ranges with the most significant being the ability to name a new road that will connect Fair Oaks Lane to Ashfield Road and run next to the new Town Center.
It is very exciting to see this long-awaited new Town Center and Library come to life. The projected opening is Fall 2021, absent delay associated with COVID-19. For more details on naming opportunities and donations and how to enhance your current donation or become a part of history by making a new one, visit the donation website.
City Hall and Police Building
The photo to the right is an image from February looking across the City Hall and Police Building toward the location for the new Police Ancillary Building in their Secure Parking Lot - toward Caltrain.
The image below is from today as steel work continues on the City Hall Building. The City Hall and Police Building(s) and necessary site work are the only areas where work is presently allowed to continue at this time under COVID-19. The Building is taking clear shape.
On the right of the image is the single-story Council Chambers portion of the Building. The Council Chambers also serves as the Town's Emergency Operations Center and connects directly to the Police Building. The second floor of the Police Building is set back from the first floor and includes the break room, training room, locker rooms and offices. The lower floor of the Police Building includes the briefing room, interview rooms, and evidence storage.
Along the left side of the image on the lower floor is the lobby area and on the second floor is the walkway across the lobby to Community Development (Building, Planning and Public Works Offices). Administration is on the lower floor on the left.
In the near portion of the image, you can see vehicles in the temporary Police Parking Lot. This area will eventually become the Civic Court of the new facility.
Below is a Site Plan for the full project.
Historic Town Hall
Most of the interior work of the Historic Town Hall building is further down in the project timeline. There is currently no activity on the Historic Town Hall due to COVID-19.
This building will ultimately become a part of the new Library connected via a deck and french doors that spill out from the side of the building onto the new deck.
Library Building
Construction activity on the Library portion of the project has had to halt under COVID-19 as Library services and activities were deemed non-essential under the County's March 31, 2020 Shelter-in-Place Order.
The image to the right is from April 27. Work will resume on the Library once the Shelter-in-Place Order is lifted for construction activity.
Site Work
Site work continues only for those areas deemed essential. This includes utilities and other required site improvements.
Here's a view of the new entrance to City Hall coming in off of Fair Oaks Lane. Administration Offices are on the right. The first floor will be Town Administration and the Post Office. The second floor is the Building, Planning, and Public Works Departments. The bottom and top floors on the left are the Police Department. Secure Parking Lot entry is off to the left of the main building.
The Look Ahead
Work Areas for the Week of April 27
- Installation of Fire Service and Water Lines
- Installation of Power and Communication Conduits
- Finish Roof Decks and Welds
- Installation of Vapor Barriers for 1st Floor
- Form Recessed Floors
- Install Deck Inserts and Vapor Barriers for 2nd Floor
Work Areas for the Week of May 4
- Installation of Fire Service and Water Lines
- Power Box Installations
- Installation of Rebar for Concrete Pours
- Install Deck Inserts
- Install Fire Sprinkler Systems (Ancillary Police Building)
Project Financials
| Payment Request |
Period |
Town Share |
Library Share |
Total |
| Payment Request #1 |
June 2019 |
$983,533 |
$538,622 |
$1,522,155 |
| Payment Request #2 |
July 2019 |
$540,673 |
$587,037 |
$1,127,711 |
| Payment Request #3 |
August 2019 |
$605,478 |
$972,754 |
$1,578,232 |
| Payment Request #4 |
September 2019 |
$997,235 |
$638,317 |
$1,635,551 |
| Payment Request #5 |
October 2019 |
$969,456 |
$252,633 |
$1,222,089 |
| Payment Request #6 |
November 2019 |
$1,318,002 |
$341,692 |
$1,659,694 |
| Payment Request #7 |
December 2019 |
$1,346,738 |
$555,978 |
$1,902,716 |
Payment Request #8
|
January 2020
|
$1,289,498 |
$480,925 |
$1,770,423 |
| Payment Request #9 |
February 2020 |
$1,042,792 |
$342,867 |
$1,385,659 |
| Payment Request #10 |
March 2020 |
$1,242,721 |
$440,645 |
$1,683,366 |
| Totals |
|
$10,336,126 |
$5,151,470 |
$15,487,597 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Initial Project Bid |
|
$28,701,034 |
$18,375,966 |
$47,077,000 |
| Net Change Orders |
|
$19,748 |
$73,803 |
$93,551 |
| Updated Project Cost |
|
$28,720,782 |
$18,449,769 |
$47,170,551 |
| % Complete based on $ |
|
36% |
28% |
33% |
| Target Based on 25-Month Schedule |
|
40% |
At 33% completion, approved change orders for the project are at 0.2% - $93,551 of $47.1 million.
George Rodericks
City Manager
grodericks@ci.atherton.ca.us