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Council awards $599,947 contract to modify modular Abernathy Arts building for temporary ceramics program
Summary
The council approved a contract to retrofit an existing modular building at Abernathy Arts Center for temporary ceramics and arts programming, authorizing the city manager to execute the contract and approving a $599,947 project funded from the existing Abernathy budget.
The City Council voted to award a $599,947.60 contract to Rubio and Sons Interiors, Inc. to modify the existing modular building at the Abernathy Arts Center and to authorize the city manager to execute the contract. The contract funds will be drawn from the Abernathy Arts Center site improvements budget, which included a $1 million allocation approved earlier for site work and interim facilities.
Dave Wells, director of facilities, capital construction and building operations, told council the project will refurbish the modular building’s exterior to match the campus, reconfigure interior spaces for flexible arts programming, upgrade utilities to current safety codes and ensure ADA compliance. The work follows demolition of deteriorated stone buildings on the Abernathy campus in 2024 and aims to restore ceramics, glass fusing and other visual‑arts classes that the center had previously hosted.
Council discussion focused on the scope and cost of a wraparound deck shown in the plans. One council member moved to amend the contract by shrinking the deck and freeing funds for a master plan; the amendment failed on a voice/hand vote. Council then voted to approve the main contract as presented. Council members and staff said the modular unit has been used by the city previously and can be redeployed later; interior equipment and some fixtures are expected to be movable and usable in a future permanent art center.
Wells said the modular building has been used in other city projects and will be adapted to meet program needs. He said the project design removed some higher‑cost decking materials (Trex) in favor of pressure‑treated lumber to control costs. Council members asked staff to pursue master‑plan funding for the long‑term Abernathy site buildout in a future budget cycle; staff said funds for a master plan could be explored and that some funding is included in the fiscal program for parks and recreation planning.
The council recorded the approval without recorded opposition. Staff said work will proceed under the city’s state‑contract procurement approach, and the modular facility is intended to provide interim ceramics and summer‑camp space while long‑term planning continues.
