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Aurora staff outline $1.4M ADA upgrade for council chambers; dais rebuild would bring cost to about $2M
Summary
Public works presented a schematic to raise the chamber floor, add two ramps and replace seating to meet ADA standards; staff recommended hiring a CMGC now to design to budget and indicated construction would likely require six to eight months and virtual council meetings while the chamber is closed.
City staff presented a schematic design to address accessibility shortcomings in the council chambers and asked council whether to finalize design and bring a contractor on board to help design-to-budget.
Ellie Watson, assistant director of public works, summarized the assessment findings and recommended two ramps, a raised floor of about six inches and new seating to ensure accessible companion seating and ADA-compliant lifts. Watson said the base scope addressing the primary accessibility fixes is “just under 1,400,000. If we include the DAIS, then we're just under 2,000,000.” Staff said the design is funded and recommended engaging a construction manager/general contractor at risk (CMGC) early to tighten budgets and constructability reviews.
Watson also outlined construction impacts: the work would take about six to eight months; most activity would occur during business hours; staff recommended holding council meetings virtually during construction so public participation remains accessible. "Virtual council meetings will provide the most accessible method of public participation throughout the duration of construction," Watson said. Councilors asked about loss of some floor seating if the dais reconstruction proceeds, proximity of the podium and dais, and where funding would come from; staff said capital-project funds are available and that the CMGC process would refine cost and schedule.
Next steps: staff will schedule a public meeting on Aug. 12, open an Engage Aurora comment period through August, proceed with final design and, if authorized, issue an RFP for CMGC preconstruction services to design to the available budget.
