Department: County Engineer
Department Head: Milton Rahman, PhD, P.E., PMP, CFM, ENV-SP
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Investment Memo
Investment Memo Type: Final Investment Memo
Project Name: Public Defender’s Office Renovations at 1310 Prairie
Project ID (if applicable): 1310_PRAIRIE
Vendor Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Current Achievement (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Managing Entity: Office of the County Engineer
Incremental Authorization Requested: $1,090,000
Total Estimated Project Cost: $2,000,000
Request Summary:
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Request for approval of the Final Investment Memo for the Public Defender’s Office at the 1310 Prairie Renovation project for an additional amount of $1,090,000 for a total amount of $2,000,000 and request for approval of commercial paper funding for the Office of the County Engineer for the project in the additional amount of $1,090,000 for a total of $2,000,000.
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Project Description:
Commissioners Court authorized 51 additional staff for PDO for FY2024, and additional staffing is expected in FY2025 and FY2026. To accommodate this staff, the Office of the County Engineer (OCE) proposes that the current occupants of the 9th and 12th floors of 1310 Prairie be relocated so that the Public Defender’s Office (PDO) can occupy both floors. Currently, HRRM’s Health Clinic is being relocated from the 9th floor to the 1st floor so that space will be available for the renovation to accommodate the Public Defender’s Office new personnel. To free up the 12th floor for the Public Defender’s Office, Universal Services personnel have relocated as well.
Project Scope:
The previous preliminary investment memo approved for $910,000 on the 10/31/2023 Commissioners Court, and approximately $130K of this was used to cover design services. The remaining balance can be applied to the construction phase.
The renovation of approximately 4,790 SF of interior space on the 9th floor and approximately 8,712 SF of interior space on the 12th floor includes the following:
• Asbestos testing and removal and proper disposal of asbestos-containing materials
• Life safety fire code compliance, interior demolition, millwork, finishes, and LED lighting
• Reconfiguring mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems and signage
• Security, IT/AV, and data wireless AP and network hardware.
Justification:
The PDO currently occupies space at 1310 Prairie, which has reached capacity. In some instances, attorneys are doubling up in offices. The new personnel will include predominantly new assistant public defenders, who require office space for their daily work activities. The relocation and interior remodel are essential to help accommodate the proposed personnel growth for the Public Defender’s Office.
Alternatives and Engagement:
The alternative would be to keep current personnel in place and limit the amount of personnel for the Public Defender’s Office. Work-from-home and transit accommodations for PDO that reduce required office space would cause delays in the responsiveness of attorneys when responding to court actions. The alternative would restrict potential modifications or renovations to the existing conditions of the proposed floors, limiting a functional work environment.
Anticipated Project Expenditures and Timeline:
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Scope of Work |
Estimated Cost |
Estimated Completion |
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Renovation of 4,790 SF on the 9th floor and 8,712 SF on the 12th floor |
$1,600,000 |
Q3 2025 |
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Asbestos testing and abatement |
$90,000 |
Q1 2025 |
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Security, IT/AV and Data wireless AP and network hardware |
$175,000 |
Q3 2025 |
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Unencumbered balance from the design phase |
$(775,000) |
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Total Incremental Request |
$1,090,000 |
Q3 2025 |
Alignment with Goal(s):
_ Justice and Safety
_ Economic Opportunity
_ Housing
_ Public Health
_ Transportation
_ Flooding
_ Environment
_X Governance and Customer Service
Previous Court Action:
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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10/31/23 |
90 |
Request for approval of the Preliminary Investment Memo for the Public Defender’s Office renovations at 1310 Prairie project for an amount of $910,000 and request for approval of commercial paper funding in the amount of $910,000. |
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Address: 1310 Prairie Houston, TX 77002
Precinct(s): Precinct 1
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Existing Budget |
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Total Current Budget |
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Additional Budget Request |
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Commercial Paper |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
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Total Funding Request |
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$1,090,000 |
$1,090,000 |
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
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Current Position Count for Service |
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Additional Positions Request |
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Total Personnel |
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Anticipated Court Date: 12/10/2024
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date):
Legal funding compliance confirmed by: Paige Abernathy, Assistant County Attorney, 10/19/2023
Department Approval by: Dr. Ronald L. Lerner DBA, MScE, IAEng, LSSBB, Director, Capital Projects - Vertical Design and Construction
OMB CIP Team Approval by: William McGuinness, Director-Capital Projects & Infrastructure, 11/22/2024
Commercial Paper Request (For OMB use only):
Receiving Department: County Engineer
Project PeopleSoft ID: 1310_PRAIRIE
CP Series Description: : Commercial Paper Series D can be used for (1) construction of public works, (2) the purchase of automobiles, equipment and machinery, including computers, materials and supplies for the operation of the County’s precincts and departments (3) Professional services, including services provided by engineers, architects, attorneys, auditors, financial advisors, and fiscal agents, in connection with the contractual obligations described in (1) and (2).
Commercial Paper is being requested for the Public Defender’s Office at the 1310 Prairie Renovation project and is expected to be repaid within the next three fiscal years either through bonds, budgetary means or pay-as-you-go sources.
OMB Financial Management contact: Amy Perez, Deputy Executive Director, Office of Management and Budget