Council reviews Community Event Center design tweaks: nano walls, restrooms and column span changes would add roughly $135,000 of construction cost
Loading...
Summary
Port Orchard — The council discussed several optional upgrades to the Community Event Center design — three retractable storefront walls, a restroom reconfiguration, and removal of interior columns — and received staff estimates for additional design and construction costs.
Port Orchard — City staff presented council members with proposed design adjustments for the forthcoming Community Event Center, outlining options to increase flexibility, improve views and respond to a partner request from Kitsap Regional Library.
Design elements presented included: three storefront “nano walls” that would retract to create 12‑foot openings (staff estimated the three units at about $55,000); a restroom redesign that would convert the second floor layout from split‑gender floors to individual male/female restrooms on both floors (staff estimated $25,000 for redesign and roughly $75,000 additional construction cost for a combined estimate of about $100,000); and removing two interior support columns to lengthen beams (design fee $8,000, estimated additional construction cost $5,000). As presented by staff, the upfront design fees for these elements total about $33,000 and staff’s high‑level construction estimate for the combined items is about $135,000; staff said the exact construction cost will be established at bid.
The council discussed accessibility, mechanical implications and operational details. Kitsap Regional Library had asked that the library floor include all‑gender restrooms; staff said that requirement produced the three options presented to the council (returning to the original all‑gender plan on both floors, accept the library request for all‑gender on its floor and gendered restrooms on the other floor, or the pictured redesign that creates male/female restrooms on the second floor but reduces the size of one large conference room). Council members asked about whether the nano walls would be automatic — staff said they expect manual operation and will confirm vendor specifications before purchase.
Council members generally expressed support for the nano walls and removing the columns to improve the large meeting space, with several members cautioning that construction budget impacts should be confirmed in the bid process. Staff said any design cost for the change would be paid upfront and returned to council as an amendment, and the construction cost would be included in the overall construction financing and budget adjustments.
There was no formal vote recorded on these design items; staff requested direction to proceed with the design work and to include the design fees and any confirmed construction adjustments in forthcoming budget amendment materials. Staff reported consensus and said they will incorporate the changes into updated documents and a proposed amendment for council consideration.
