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Livingston council hears design, budget update for RecPlex renovation
Summary
Architects and the city’s project manager presented schematic designs for the Livingston RecPlex, describing a mostly preserved building with new indoor courts, a commercial kitchen and outdoor park amenities. City staff outlined potential grant sources and said an updated cost estimate will follow further design work.
Architects and the city project manager gave the Livingston City Council an update on schematic design and early funding plans for the Livingston RecPlex on Jan. 21.
The presentation said the project will be a ‘‘complete gut renovation’’ of the existing building across three parcels, preserve roughly 90% of the current structure, add a large multiuse court inside, a commercial kitchen, multiple activity rooms and outdoor amenities across the street that would include a splash pad, picnic areas and fitness equipment. The project team said they plan to close part of Seventh Street to create a pedestrian connection and additional parking.
The city’s project manager, Gregor Markle, said the project’s initial line-item budget was estimated at about $12.6 million based on 2023 pricing and that number will be updated as design is refined. ‘‘This will need to be updated as we refine the design throughout this process,’’ Markle said. He said the city has engaged a grant writer and is pursuing multiple funding sources that are compatible with the project as shown in schematic design.
SVA Architects’ lead presenter described interior programming and site layout: a large, central gym volume that can be curtained into two courts, four flexible community activity rooms, a senior/teen center and a commercial kitchen with service windows to both indoor and outdoor event spaces. The team proposed preserving much of the existing metal building while removing a deteriorated wood-framed portion on the east end to save cost.
Markle detailed several grant opportunities the city intends to pursue: Proposition 68 funds (state parks/recreation grant programs), a competitive Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant, a resilience-center grant to allow use as an emergency cooling or sheltering site, and U.S. Department of Transportation discretionary funds for electric vehicle charging and fueling infrastructure. He said the project team plans to include EV charging stations in multiple parking areas if grant funds are secured.
Council members asked for details on how much of the design remains adjustable. The architect said the project is in schematic design, where room uses, sizes and the general layout are being locked in; design development and construction documents follow and still allow some adjustments. ‘‘There’s still time within the next phases to tweak things and get feedback,’’ the architect said.
Local participation and donations came up during public comment. Laurie Barrett of Community Health Centers of America asked whether local contractors and businesses would be given opportunities to bid or sponsor fixtures. The project manager and city staff encouraged local participation for donor walls, furniture sponsorship and art installations, and said the construction contract will go out to bid, which allows local firms to bid with the rest of the market.
City staff will post project updates online and provide a QR code for regular milestones. Presenters said next steps are to continue design development, update cost estimates in construction documents, pursue the listed grants and return to council with refined budgets and schedules.
What’s next: staff and the design team will update the project cost estimate as schematic work moves to design development, continue grant applications and return to council with more detailed budgets and timelines.
