Department: Commissioner, Precinct 4
Department Head: Lesley Briones, Commissioner
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Investment Memo
Investment Memo Type: Preliminary Investment Memo
Project Name: Tracy Gee Community Center Renovation
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
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: Commissioner Precinct 4
Incremental Authorization Requested: $400,000
Total Estimated Project Cost: $15,000,000
Request Summary:
title
Request for approval of the Preliminary Investment Memo for the Tracy Gee Community Center Renovation project for an initial amount of $400,000 and request for approval of initial commercial paper funding in the amount of $400,000.
end
Project Description:
The Tracy Gee Community Center at 3599 Westcenter Drive, one of seven community centers in Precinct 4, was built in 1983 and last renovated in 1996/97. Spanning about 20,000 square feet, it is nearing the end of its functional life, and several issues have been identified:
• Structural Problems: Soil expansion and contraction under the floor slab have caused structural issues.
• Inefficient Layout: Small rooms limit the services and activities the center can offer.
• Service Gaps: Many rooms do not meet current needs. For example, the largest room is too small for popular activities like the weekly square dance class.
• ADA Non-Compliance: Renovations would improve current accessibility issues, bringing the center into ADA compliance. This is a pressing community need, as the center is a key voting location.
• Parking Hazards: Confusing parking layout has led to vehicle collisions with the building, causing significant damage.
• Poor Office Conditions: The Constable Precinct 5 office is in poor condition and only accessible from outside.
• Outdated Systems: Mechanical and electrical systems need major rehabilitation or replacement.
• Energy Inefficiency: The building envelope does not meet modern codes, resulting in higher energy consumption.
• Potential Hazards: Possible presence of lead paint and asbestos poses health risks.
• Limited Office Space: Insufficient office space forces staff to share desks.
• Emergency Limitations: The building cannot serve as a warming or cooling center during power outages due to the lack of a whole-building generator.
A major renovation and expansion of the Tracy Gee Community Center is proposed to address these issues.
Project Scope:
The proposed renovation aims to achieve the following goals and objectives:
• Create a Revitalized Facility: Provide an inviting and functional community center for all users.
• Optimize Space Utilization: Align building spaces with the services and activities offered by Precinct 4.
• Upgrade Systems: Replace outdated mechanical and electrical systems with modern, energy-efficient, and resilient equipment.
• Enhance Services: Enable Precinct 4 to offer enhanced and additional recreational and other services to residents.
• Expand Constable Office: Provide an expanded and dedicated space for the Harris County Constable Precinct 5 office, with potential for a storefront location.
• Increase Office Space: Expand office space to allow for more efficient operations and enhanced programming.
The existing structure is anticipated to expand from 20,000 square feet to 25,000-30,000 square feet to meet these goals. The exact square footage, layout, and furnishing requirements will be determined during the Schematic Design Phase.
At this time, funding is requested to engage an architect to complete the Schematic Design Phase. A subsequent investment memo will be submitted after the Schematic Design is complete to cover the Final Design and Construction phases of the project.
Justification:
Renovations and expanding the existing Community Center will help to better serve the needs of constituents. Increased level of services for constituents through improved recreational facilities, better tailored to the needs of the community. Improve quality of life for constituents through providing enhanced recreational services.
This project supports the following Priority Outcomes and/or Goal Areas:
• Justice and Safety: Provide a visible location for Harris County Constable Precinct 5 to office from.
• Public Health: Mitigate potential health, safety and accessibility issues with the existing building.
• Governance and Customer Service: Provide enhanced services to the community through facility improvements.
The success of the project can be measured through the following performance metrics:
• Increased attendance by Precinct 4 residents at hosted activities and events.
• Ability to function as a warming or cooling center during power outages and other emergencies.
• Reduced energy consumption through using efficient building envelope, mechanical and electrical systems.
Alternatives and Engagement:
This project is the best solution for addressing the issues and deficiencies identified above. Neglecting this renovation could lead to further deterioration of the building's structural integrity, posing potential safety risks to the community. Additionally, the current limited space hampers the effectiveness of community programming, and the age of the structure may require asbestos and lead paint mitigation.
Alternatives:
Delaying the Project: Postponing this renovation for a year could exacerbate existing issues, increasing repair costs and potentially leading to more severe structural damage.
Not Doing the Project: Failing to renovate would continue to endanger public safety and limit community services, further diminishing the building's utility and value.
Impacts:
• Structural Integrity: Without intervention, the building's condition will worsen, making future repairs more complex and costly.
• Community Services: Limited space will continue to restrict community programming and operations of the constable office.
• Health and Safety: The presence of asbestos and lead paint poses serious health risks that need to be addressed promptly.
Stakeholder Engagement: We will engage the following stakeholders:
• Community Members: Ensuring their needs and concerns are addressed.
• Constable Office: Facilitating their operational requirements.
• Universal Services and Facilities & Property Maintenance: Collaborating with these departments to evaluate and approve the project.
By addressing these issues now, we can ensure the building remains safe, functional, and beneficial for the entire community.
Anticipated Project Expenditures and Timeline:
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Scope of Work |
Estimated Cost |
Estimated Completion |
|
Schematic Design |
$400,000 |
December 2024 |
|
Architectural and Engineering Basic Services |
$1,150,000 |
February 2025 |
|
Construction Service |
$13,450,000 |
Will be defined during the Schematic Design Phase |
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Total |
$15,000,000 |
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Alignment with Goal(s):
x Justice and Safety
_ Economic Opportunity
_ Housing
x Public Health
_ Transportation
_ Flooding
_ Environment
x Governance and Customer Service
Previous Court Action:
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Address: 3599 Westcenter Dr. Houston, TX 77042
Precinct(s): Precinct 4
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Anticipated Court Date: July 15, 2024
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): August 2024
Legal funding compliance confirmed by: Paige Abernathy, Assistant County Attorney, 7/2/2024
Department Approval by: Jamaal Smith, Deputy Chief of Staff, Pct. 4, 7/1/2024
OMB CIP Team Approval by: Wanwei Tang, Analyst - Capital Projects and Infrastructure, 7/3/24
Commercial Paper Request (For OMB use only):
Receiving Department: Commissioner, Precinct 4
Project PeopleSoft ID: TBD
CP Series Description: Commercial Paper Series D-3 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 Tracy Gee Community Center 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