Authorize Architectural Design Services for Municipal Pumphouse #3

Overview/Background/Project Context:

The City of Ramsey, is presently in process of the design for the remaining major public realm elements in The COR, specifically the two connected park spaces—Municipal Plaza and The Waterfront.  Both of these parks are along or near, Center Street and in proximity to Pumphouse #3, with the Ramsey Municipal Center at the southern terminus of this same street.  Center Street, as the name implies, is at the very center of Ramsey’s pedestrian and transit orientated downtown. The existing and future municipal buildings represent an archipelago of visually and physically interconnected places within the community along this armature and axis of streets, trails, sidewalks and parks—and as such, care should be taken to define and embrace this sense of place through appropriate architecture.
 
Together with the Municipal Center, the Pumphouse was one of the very first buildings in The COR, however, unlike the Municipal Center, the decision was purposeful to not finish the exterior, preferring to do so at the time that all the public realm elements could be understood and contextualized—which is concurrent with the aforementioned park design, and today. 

The first attachment shows existing conditions of Pumphouse #3.

At the meeting, Staff will highlight the various future improvements (parks, streets, trails and sidwalks) that will be in geographic and functional proximity to the pump house, to place this project in full context. This, together with Committee discussion is estimated at 20 minutes or more.

Observations:

Since approximately 2005, the city has had this project (finishing the facade of the pumphouse) within the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).  The CIP worksheet is shown as the second attachment, and identified as a 2018 project; anticipating the above-described concurrent planning and design activity for, and within the public realm.

To advance this project, Staff has worked with LHB, one of the City's Consultants to outline a work plan that addresses the primary tasks, and takes into consideration the various aspects of this highly visable project—to ensure the architecture of this building meets aesthetic expectations, is cost effective and sustainable, and contributes appropriately to the functional  'sense of place' in Ramsey's downtown.  The third attachment is the Architectural Design Services proposal from LHB. 

Alternatives:

Alternatives include doing nothing at this time.  However, the prominence of this small, but important building in the center of The COR is an opportunity to complete the building's facade, and at the same time, use the project as an opportunity to set the precedence for the remaining civic architecture in The Center Of Ramsey.

Funding for the this planning and specifications stage of the project, the architectural design for the pumphouse, would be from the Municipal Water Utility Fund.

Staff recommends moving forward with this project as outlined in the attached proposal.  Proceeding at this time, should provide for design completion by the Spring of 2019, allowing for the Public Works Committee and City Council to consider completion (physical construction) of the exterior of Pumphouse #3 later in 2019.

Motion to recommend/not recommend to City Council, approval of a not-to-exceed amount of $23,300, from the Municipal Water Utility Fund, for Architectural Design Services for Pumphouse #3.