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Council expands Memorial Hall bond authorization and hires firm for renovation design
Summary
Council increased GO bond authorization for Memorial Hall roof work after bids exceeded estimates, and selected SFS Architecture to produce conceptual drawings, construction documents and tax‑credit assistance at a not‑to‑exceed fee of $451,665 plus 2% of construction cost for administration.
The council approved two related actions on Memorial Hall: an amendment to previously authorized general obligation bonds to raise the Memorial Hall roof allocation from roughly $200,000 to $260,000 after higher bid results, and acceptance of a proposal from SFS Architecture for renovation design services not to exceed $451,665 (plus 2% of construction cost for construction administration).
Justin Combmes, director of parks and facilities, said the selection committee interviewed three finalists and recommended SFS based on experience rehabbing similar historic auditoriums, creativity in reuse planning and a competitive fee. "They demonstrated their ability to think outside the box and reuse spaces in a creative way while honoring the historic nature of the building," Combmes said.
Finance director Angela Richard told council that initial contractor bids pushed the roofing cost upward and that insurance had covered about $107,000 of storm damage; additional bonding authorization was necessary to complete the project.
The council authorized the mayor to sign both measures. Staff noted the project will pursue historic tax credits and will layer financing—historic credits, star‑bond support and limited GO bonding—to reduce the net cost to taxpayers.
