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City outlines $9M stabilization plan for historic Waterworks Building, seeks programming direction
Summary
Staff presented a $9 million guaranteed maximum price (GMP) contract amendment for stabilizing the historic Waterworks Building and described follow‑up steps (design RFPs, RCLCO activation strategy and community programming interests such as an entrepreneur market and incubator). DBE participation and subcontractor shares were also detailed.
City staff told the council the historic Waterworks Building will move into a stabilization phase with a contract amendment to the city’s construction manager at risk. Chrissy Lawrence (speaker 13) described the scope as a $9,000,000 contract amendment covering lead and asbestos abatement, structural repairs, terracotta and brick restoration and historic window reinstatement.
Rhonda Lumpkin Lapson (speaker 14) said the amendment establishes a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) with Garbutt Construction Company for the stabilization work and that the fence and site protection are being put in place now.
The city manager reported DBE/MWBE participation levels attached to the contract: RJ Hall Construction (5.65% of the work), Elevations Construction (10.1%), Savannah Abatement (2.08%), Henry Plumbing (0.3%) and Integrated Power Connections (1.86%). Staff said total DBE participation for the contract is just over 20%, with roughly half of that share local.
Context and programming: staff emphasized stabilization is the initial, exterior and structural work; council will later decide the interior programming during the build‑out phase. City staff and several alderpersons discussed using the site as an entrepreneurial incubator, a Gullah Geechee food market and a space that prioritizes West Side residents and small businesses.
Next steps: staff said an RCLCO activation strategy will be presented in July, the design RFP is under development, and staff will return to council with design and programming options. The stabilization GMP was presented to council for consideration on the agenda; the workshop did not record a final approval vote.
