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Harvard Jolly

Commissioners spar over choosing rec center design firm

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The Pasco County Commission has selected Wannemacher Jensen Architects Inc., and Harvard Jolly Inc.,  as the top-ranked firms for design services for an indoor recreation center at the Wesley Chapel District Park.

It also authorized county staff to negotiate with Wannemacher Jensen, and if an agreement can’t be reach, to conduct negotiations with Harvard Jolly.

Mike Wells

Commissioners approved the action on a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Mike Wells dissenting, and following a clash between commissioners over whether to proceed with the process, or reject all of the proposals and start over.

Wells advocated starting the process over.

“I don’t know if any of you have looked at it. I do have some concerns,” Wells said. Specifically, he questioned why there was such a large discrepancy in points awarded to various proposals, and the lack of written comments to explain those differences.

He made a motion to reject all proposals and to begin the process again “and that the evaluation process be more thoroughly documented.”

Commissioner Jack Mariano seconded Well’s motion.

But, Commissioner Mike Moore told his colleagues: “I’ve got citizens waiting for this project to happen in that area. We’ve worked hard on this. I want to hear from staff.”

Stacey Ziegler, the county’s purchasing director, told the board: “We followed the process that we’ve been following the last six months, since we updated our purchasing manual.

“There were no actual comments that were written down specific to the evaluation committee members, but, if you listen to the tape, they did have full discussion.

“We feel like we’ve done our due diligence and that our recommendation should stand,” Ziegler said.

Moore said starting over would delay the project for months.

“They’re already scheduling for these new leagues to be inside. We need this to happen on the timeline we told them it was going to happen,” Moore said.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey asked: “Did we have anybody protest the selection?”

Mike Moore

Ziegler responded: “No.”

Then Mariano weighed in about the county’s evaluation process, in general.

“I don’t like the way that these committees are set up. I’d like to have a commissioner sit on it,” Mariano said. “A local firm didn’t even make the top nine, and I think the competency was there.”

That’s why he supported Wells’ motion, Mariano added.

Commissioner Starkey rejected Mariano’s suggestion. “I 100 percent disagree with putting a commissioner on an evaluation like that. There’s a lot of political pressure,” she said, adding she’s aware of commissioners who have wound up in prison because of improprieties.

“There is a reason why our county attorney has strongly recommended that commissioners stay off those kinds of committees,” Starkey said.

Wells said this is only the second time he’s pulled this type of recommendation.

“I’m not trying to disrespect our team,” he said.

“What’s concerning to me is the point spread. The way this process works is that each individual person scores it and then they go to the meeting and they discuss it.

“Sometimes it is hard for me to understand how they scored it, when there are no notes,” Wells said.

He reiterated his call for starting over.

“I think this is the fairest way to do it,” Wells said.

Starkey disagreed: “I feel we have competent staff who pick competent companies based on the criteria that are in front of them.

“At the end of the day, I trust our staff, and I feel time is of the essence and we should move forward,” she said.

Moore asked what the county would gain by going through the process again.

“If it goes out for bid again, and they write their comments down, and it ends up in the exact same order, what do we get out of it?” Moore asked.

Mariano noted that Spring Engineering was the only local company and it didn’t make the top four.

“We’re trying to push local companies, local jobs,” Mariano said, adding perhaps there was some bias relating to some other work done by the company in the past.

County Administrator Dan Biles responded:  “The evaluation committee can only evaluate the packet that is before them.”

County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder told the board: “You clearly do have the right to reject all bids.”

But, he noted: “You’ve got a series of qualified folks. You’ve got a short list before you. “Rejecting all proposals. You may not get the same group of people proposing.”

Starkey warned her colleagues: “I think we open the door for trouble, if we’re going to throw this out, because there weren’t any notes.”

Moore urged commissioners to act on staff’s recommendation.

“This facility was supposed to be part of the park many, many years ago.

The basketball leagues play outdoors.

“For one thing, it’s very hot to play on cement. There’s no covering out there,” Moore said. Plus, “they get rained out, constantly.”

He also noted that there’s no place for boys and girls to play volleyball.

“They’re literally going to New Tampa to play volleyball. Or, they travel over to Land O’ Lakes,” Moore said.

“You’re looking at almost a 1,000 kids that are going to be put off a season,” Moore said.

When it appeared the board was heading for a vote, Mariano pulled his second. He said he didn’t want to delay the project.

But, Wells maintained his opposition. “It’s about picking the most qualified person. I don’t feel we did that,” he said.

Mariano also asked county staff to find out whether other counties have a commissioner on their evaluation committees.

Starkey retorted: “Start with Broward County, you’ll have to go to the prison to interview some of them.”

Published January 30, 2019

Design work to start on $15.5 million PHSC performing arts center

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Design work is expected to get underway soon on a Pasco-Hernando State College performing arts center that is planned for the Cypress Creek Middle High School campus, off Old Pasco Road.

The $15.5 million project will be built by the state college, but both the college and Pasco County Schools plan to use the facility for educational programming.

Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent for Pasco County Schools, sees enormous potential for a planned $15.5 million performing arts center that will be built on the Cypress Creek Middle High School campus by Pasco-Hernando State College.
(B.C. Manion)

Additionally, Pasco County Schools is planning to begin construction on Pasco County Middle School, which is scheduled to open in August of 2020.

“We’re designing the middle school, with the performing arts in mind,” said Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent of Pasco County Schools.

“We’re going to have some dance rooms at the middle school. We’ll have a black box theater at the middle school. We’ll have a chorus room. We’ll have an orchestra room,” he said.

“Sometimes the college might be in our middle school at night, using the black box theater, and we might be in the new performing arts center, using the stage,” Gadd said.

Harvard Jolly — the architect for the middle school project — also has been selected to do the performing arts center, said Tony Rivas, PHSC’s associate vice president for facilities management and administrative services.

Creative Contractors has been selected as the construction management firm, Gadd said.

Both Creative Contractors and Harvard Jolly have experience with performing arts center projects, Rivas said.

The architect will be holding design charrettes with the users in January and February, to discuss design considerations.

The design must take into account the users’ needs, budget and state regulations for educational facilities, Gadd and Rivas said.

It also must consider how spaces interact with each other, Rivas said.

“You want to get certain things close to certain things, and you want to not necessarily be in proximity for other things because of noise levels or distractions. Those things come into play,” Rivas explained.

The arts center will be a teaching facility, but there’s also a desire to have a facility that can be used as a public venue, too, Gadd said.

Initially, the goal was to secure about $60 million in funding for a performing arts facility that would have accommodated about 3,500 seats, Gadd said. Actual funding came in at $15.5 million, which means the center will be much smaller.

Gadd said he hopes the new center will have a stage large enough to accommodate an orchestra. “If you have a stage that can hold an orchestra, then it can hold anything,” he said.

Construction is not likely to begin for about a year.

The college is in charge of construction, but the school district is providing about 5.5 acres for the site.

Lots of details regarding cost-sharing for operations and shared use of facilities still need to be worked out, Gadd added.

Betsy Kuhn, assistant superintendent for support services, said the school district plans to offer curriculum such as digital design courses, lighting, production, cinematography and traditional arts programs for students who are interested in the performing arts.

Rivas noted that that it’s very early in the process, but as things progress, information about the project will be shared in a number of venues to keep lines of communication open. For instance, the construction manager will have a website that will have progress photos and different milestone events.

“We have to be attuned to the fact that we are in the community. We’re going to keep that awareness and sensitivity, and always try to be a good neighbor,” Rivas said.

Creative Contractors has extensive experience in building performing arts centers — both professional and educational, said Joshua Bomstein, president of the Clearwater-based company.

“We’re finishing the Tampa Theatre renovation right now. We did the complete renovation of the Capitol Theatre in downtown Clearwater. We’ve done all of the work at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater,” he said.

His company also did the Clearwater High School performing arts building, the performing arts building at Manatee High School, and the performing arts auditorium at Generations Christian Church in Trinity.

Bomstein is excited about the new project.

“This is going to be phenomenal facility. I predict and promise that,” he said.

Published December 27, 2017

Gearing up for Cypress Creek Middle School

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A new middle school is expected to open next to Cypress Creek Middle High School, allowing the existing school to focus on high school only.

The new middle school will accommodate 1,675 students on a 15-acre site, just north of the current school, which opened in August at 8701 Old Pasco Road, for students in grades six through 11.

The estimated construction budget is $43.5 million.

Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2018, with opening planned for August 2020.

The Pasco County School Board has approved an agreement with architects Harvard Jolly, to reuse the design of the 1,400-student station Innovation Middle School in Orange County, for the new middle school, according to school board documents.

Pasco school district staff members recently toured Innovation Middle School and found that the school “to be cost effective, attractive and extremely safe and a school that will successfully meet the educational needs” of the district, according to district documents.

“Many of the preferred features of this school are already found in a number of our educational facilities,” the document added. “Our version of the school will be expanded to approximately 1,600 student stations to accommodate future growth in this region of the district.”

Cypress Creek Middle High is slated to add a senior class next school year.

When the school opened, it affected boundaries for Rushe, John Long and Weightman middle schools, and Sunlake, Wesley Chapel and Wiregrass high schools.

The district initially had hoped to open Cypress Creek as a high school only, but was forced to use it for more grades because it lacked sufficient construction funds.

Published October 25, 2017

Bexley Elementary celebrates its formal dedication

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Bexley Elementary was formally dedicated last week.

Members of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce join administrators from Pasco County Schools and members of the Pasco County School Board during a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the formal dedication of Bexley Elementary School. (B.C. Manion)

It was a festive event, with Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning making some remarks, the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce marking the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the Sunlake High School band performing a few numbers.

There was cake, of course.

And, cupcakes, too.

The cafeteria was crowded with families celebrating the new school, and many of the guests took advantage of the opportunity to go on self-guided tours to see the classrooms and meet school staff.

The school, at 4380 Ballantrae Blvd., opened in August to relieve overcrowding at Odessa and Oakstead elementary schools. The formal dedication was on the evening of Oct. 10.

In a tour before the school open, Principal Vicki Wolin described Bexley’s emphasis on research, enrichment opportunities and collaboration.

Bexley, which is in a subdivision developed by Newland Communities, is the largest elementary school that Pasco County Schools has ever built.

Its design was the result of a collaboration between architect Harvard Jolly, four elementary principals and David Scanga, assistant superintendent for elementary schools.

Wolin was one of the principals weighing in on that design — which is intended to facilitate enriching learning opportunities for children.

Published Oct. 18, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water and sewer rates expected to rise in Zephyrhills

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Zephyrhills residents could see an increase on their utility bills, beginning next year.

City staff is recommending a 4-percent increase in water rates and an 8-percent increase in sewer rates for all customers each year for a five-year period, beginning Jan. 1.

The Zephyrhills City Council voted unanimously for City Attorney Matthew Maggard to draft an ordinance regarding the proposed rate increases, during its July 10 meeting.

The first reading of the ordinance is slated for its next council meeting, on July 24.

The new two-story Zephyrhills City Hall will include new council chambers, office and storage space, restrooms, a lobby, stairways, an elevator and a courtyard. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

As an example, a customer in Zephyrhills using 3,000 gallons of water per month currently sees a bill of $40.03. With the January rate hike, the bill would rise to $43.14, an increase of $3.12. It does not include sanitation rates, which already is an additional $11.25 per month.

Users of 5,000 gallons per month would see their bills increase from $53.29 to 57.52, an increase of $4.23; while users of 7,500 gallons of water a month would see their bills increase from $73.12 to $78.75, an increase of $5.63.

A recent study conducted by Raftelis Finance Consultants, found that 79 percent of residential customers use 5,000 gallons or less a month.

The impeding rate hikes, according to City Manager Steve Spina, are primarily to “help keep up with costs in the Utility Department for operation maintenance.”

Additional revenues from utility also will be used toward debt service, renewal and replacement costs (new pipes, equipment), capital funding (extending services to new development, plant expansions to handle growth) and maintaining reserves.

“I don’t like (rate) increases anymore than the next person,” councilman Lance Smith said, “but, I do like my water to come on when I turn the faucet on.”

The draft ordinance, too, will call for an increase to utility impact fees on new construction.

For a single-family residence, water impact fees are slated to rise from $641 to $1,010. Sewer impact fee rates also are expected to jump from $2,010 to $2,260, for a single-family home.

The city originally sought to enact the rate increases, if approved, by October.

Spina, however, suggested city leaders delay the implementation schedule due to an ongoing water utility project.

Last fall, the city began rolling out a program through a contractor, Arizona-based Fathom, to replace all of the city’s meters and begin a digital monitoring bill-paying system  — costing the city $6 million over two years.

The Fathom rollout led to numerous complaints from residents, who saw their bills go up after installation of new bar meters provided more precise water-usage readings, finding leaks the old system did not detect.

During the council meeting, Spina reasoned that delaying the rate increases will allow the city to fully complete the Fathom transition, and allow customers to adapt to both the new system and new rates.

“We had rough patches with Fathom, which we’re pretty much finalizing and getting through,” Spina said. … “Frankly, we — me and the administration— did not do a very good job of advertising, publicizing and explaining the different events that were going to occur during that rollout, and should we ever have something like this again, we definitely know what to do and what not to do.”

Council president Alan Knight later advised Spina to put together a public outreach campaign for the five-year utility rate increases.

The city’s last five-year rate hike, approved in 2012, called for a 10-percent hike for the first three years and 5 percent the final two years.

In other action, the city council received a visual preview of the new, $6.2 million Zephyrhills City Hall building.

Public works director Shane LeBlanc displayed an artist’s final design rendering of the two-story brick building, which will measure 19,615 square feet.

In January, the council voted to construct the new edifice, replacing the current 13,497-square-foot City Hall, at 5334 Eighth St., which dates back to the 1950s.

Demolition is scheduled in the next few weeks, with construction beginning Aug. 23 and lasting for approximately one year.

Council members expressed enthusiasm for the conceptual drawing showing the west entrance of the property, which features a courtyard plaza that will connect City Hall with the adjacent Zephyrhills Library.

The rendering also shows a fountain as its centerpiece in an area that will include public-use seating.

Besides the courtyard plaza, the new City Hall will include upgraded council chambers, additional office and storage space, restrooms, a lobby, stairways and elevator.

The rendering was furnished by architectural firm Harvard Jolly.

Published July 19, 2017

Collaboration is key word at Bexley Elementary

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When visitors step into the REC center at Bexley Elementary School, they won’t be surrounded by game tables or basketball hoops.

Instead, they’ll be in the new elementary school’s media center.

The REC center gets its name from three words — Research, Enrich and Collaborate. Those words emphasize the kind of learning experience planned for children attending the school, which is set to open in August, at 4380 Ballantrae Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

This worker is clearing off debris on the sidewalk of an interior courtyard at Bexley Elementary School. (B.C. Manion)

Bexley Principal Vicki Wolin described the school’s features and aspirations during a recent tour of the campus for Pasco County School Board members, district leaders and other guests.

When the tour-takers finished that visit, most of them drove across county to visit Cypress Creek Middle High School to get a sneak preview of that campus led by Principal Carin Hetzler-Nettles.

Bexley — which will relieve overcrowding at Odessa and Oakstead elementary schools — is the largest elementary school that Pasco County Schools has ever built, said John Petrashek, director of construction services for the district.

Its design was a result of collaboration between architect Harvard Jolly, four elementary principals and David Scanga, assistant superintendent for elementary schools, Petrashek said.

That team told the district, “this is what we need to make this a very functioning, high-performing elementary school,” the construction services director said.

“We listened. We designed … They didn’t get everything they wanted, but just about,” he said.

The resulting elementary school is rich “for teaching, learning and for achievement,” Petrashek said.

The district aims to be as frugal as possible when building new schools, but doesn’t cut corners when it comes to the quality of construction and design, Petrashek said.

“This building is built to last. You can pay for a building and good design now, or you can cheapen this design and pay forever out of operational costs for maintenance and repair,” he said. “This building has a 50-year life expectancy.”

Petrashek praised Newland Communities, the developer of the Bexley subdivision, for being “tremendous partners.”

Newland ensured that the site was large enough to meet the district’s needs and also made sure that needed infrastructure was available, Petrashek said.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning is enthusiastic about the new school.

“We expect great things to come out of Bexley Elementary School,” Browning said. “It’s a beautiful place. It’s obviously very functional, and it will lend itself to a great learning environment for kids.”

Wolin noted the emphasis was on collaboration, efficiency of space and flexibility.

“We wanted something that was timeless, so it would be efficient in the future,” she said.

For instance, there are stools that can break apart into smaller seats, and also be adjusted so that they rock.

“We want to offer our students seating areas that best meet their needs for learning, instead of: “Sit down and sit still,’” Wolin said.

The building also is designed with spaces that can shrink or expand, allowing grade-level teams to work together and enabling teachers to tailor instruction to meet the varying needs of students.

The technology also offers flexibility.

For instance, the same piece of equipment can be used to show a video or to be an interactive tool, depending on what a teacher needs for a particular lesson, Wolin said.

Even the school’s large front office is designed with families in mind, the principal said, noting it is more spacious than the typical front office at an elementary school. The idea is to give families more room as they wait to take care of school business.

At Cypress Creek Middle High School, at 8701 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel, Hetzler-Nettles led the group around the campus, which initially will serve students in grades six through 11.

Much of the furniture and equipment has yet to be installed, but, like Bexley, the school will have different types of seating and spaces that can be reconfigured for different uses.

Stops on the tour included a science classroom, the school gymnasium, the cafeteria, the weight room, locker rooms, a band room, a conference room, various other classrooms and a look at the athletic fields.

For parents and students who want to see for themselves, Cypress Creek Middle High will be holding two events, designed for students in different age groups. For details, visit the school’s website at CCMHS.pasco.k12.fl.us.

Bexley is planning an open house, too. For more information about Bexley, visit BES.pasco.k12.f.us.

Published July 5, 2017

New opportunities await at Cypress Creek Middle High

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Much of the furniture and equipment has yet to be installed at Cypress Creek Middle High School, but even without it, it’s easy to see that the school is designed to offer students a multitude of opportunities when it opens in August.

Cypress Creek Middle High Principal Carin Hetzler-Nettles leads a tour of Pasco County School Board members, Superintendent Kurt Browning and other invited guests for a sneak preview of Cypress Creek Middle High School. (B.C. Manion)

Principal Carin Hetzler-Nettles and members of her administrative team recently led Pasco County School Board members and Superintendent Kurt Browning on a tour around the campus at 8701 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel.

Stops on the tour included a science classroom, the school gymnasium, the cafeteria, the weight room, locker rooms, a band room, a conference room, a variety of other classrooms and a look at the athletic fields.

The tour was similar to a walk-around that school board members and other guests took at Bexley Elementary, at 4380 Ballantrae Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, earlier in the afternoon. Bexley, built to relieve crowding at Oakstead and Odessa elementary schools, also is set to open in August.

Both schools have different types of seating and spaces that can be reconfigured to suit the needs of teachers and students. And, both are designed to foster collaboration among teachers and among students.

Cypress Creek Middle High will serve students in grades six through 11 its initial year and will add a senior class the following year.

During the tour of that campus, Hetzler-Nettles stopped in a classroom that was flanked by classrooms on either side.

“This is an area where we could put three teachers together, they could collaborate. You could open the doors to that classroom and could open up the wall (a sliding wall),” she said.

At the same time, the principal said she’s aware that parents have raised concerns about having middle school and high school students on the same campus.

To help relieve those concerns, the principal said, “they have separate locker rooms, and they will not be crossing paths (to get to the locker rooms).”

Cypress Creek Middle High also will offer high school academies in business management, criminal justice and engineering, and middle school academics in criminal justice and engineering.

Check out this water fountain at Cypress Creek Middle High. You can get a sip of water now and fill up your water bottle for later.

It also will have separate band programs for middle and high school students.

But, it will not have an agricultural program, at least initially, Hetzler-Nettles said.

Some of the features that stood out during the recent tour included water fountains that are designed to fill water bottles, similar to the fountains in some airports. Bathrooms without exterior doors, similar to those seen at airports and other public buildings.

The shower stalls in the boys’ locker room are individual stalls and are outfitted with curtains. There’s also a stall that’s designed to be accessible for a student with a disability.

And, there’s also a chiller farm near the athletic field — attesting to the big job it will be to keep the school cool.

During their visit to Bexley Elementary, board members and guests had a chance to walk around the largest elementary school that Pasco County Schools has ever built, according to John Petrashek, director of construction services for the district.

Its design was a result of collaboration between architect Harvard Jolly, four elementary principals and David Scanga, assistant superintendent for elementary schools, Petrashek said.

The elementary school was built to last, Petrashek said, noting it has an expected lifespan of 50 years.

Want to know more?
Cypress Creek Middle High is inviting students and parents in for a sneak peek before classes begin. For details, visit the school’s website at CCMHS.pasco.k12.fl.us.
For more information about Bexley Elementary School, visit BES.pasco.k12.fl.us.

Published July 5, 2017

Design is final for new Zephyrhills City Hall

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When it comes to a new City Hall, the Zephyrhills City Council agreed that “bigger is better.”

Council members unanimously approved the design for the new City Hall complex on Jan. 23. The design calls for a two-story building of 19,615 square feet.

The $6.2 million price tag is about $300,000 greater than the alternative option, which called for a structure of 18,170.

Alan Knight, the council’s vice president, was the most outspoken advocate of proceeding with Harvard Jolly’s larger, more expensive, building.

The Zephyrhills City Council on Jan. 23 unanimously approved the design plan for a 19,615-square-foot, two-story City Hall complex. Construction will cost about $6.2 million. The total scope of the project is estimated at about $7.6 million.
(Courtesy of Harvard Jolly)

The city’s anticipated future growth is the main factor, Knight reasoned, in dishing out more dollars.

“We’re no longer a sleepy little town,” Knight said. “Zephyrhills is not growing, we’re exploding. I think to do anything to shortchange — or cut the building down— would be a mistake.”

He added: “We’re already the largest city in Pasco County, and I see nothing but growth.”

Council member Lance Smith concurred: “We need to do it first-class.”

The total scope of the City Hall project is estimated at about $7.6 million.

That includes additional “soft” costs, such as architect and engineering fees, furniture and technology expenses.

Other estimated expenses — relocation costs and temporary office space— are also included in the figure, as provided by the city.

The new complex will replace the existing City Hall, which is situated between the city’s public library and fire department on Eighth Street. A courtyard plaza and walkway eventually will link all three buildings.

With a modern stone and brick exterior, the new City Hall follows an architectural template similar to the Zephyrhills Public Library.

The complex’s interior, meanwhile, will be equipped with more open workspaces and multifunctional meeting rooms, which offer flexibility to accommodate public events.

The schematic rendering by Harvard Jolly shows the first floor houses the council chambers, and includes office quarters for the city’s building, finance and planning departments.

Other city departments, such as public works, the Community Redevelopment Agency and technology will be located on the second floor.

“This plan provides a lot flexibility for future growth,” said Amy Morgan, an associate architect with Harvard Jolly. “There are a couple of spare offices with plenty of storage.”

Phil Trezza, senior vice president at Harvard Jolly, expects the new City Hall to have “at least” a 50-year lifespan.

“The bones of the building will be pretty stout,” Trezza said, addressing the council. “We’re considering concrete block walls, and long-life materials.”

Trezza noted the design-development process will take another “five to six months” before construction can begin.

Construction, he said, will take another 12 months, placing the timetable to completion around mid-2018.

In the interim, the city must locate temporary quarters during the City Hall build out.

The council previously discussed the possibility of continuing to utilize the existing City Hall during construction, but safety and accessibility issues won’t allow that.

Temporary placement options include using extra space at the city’s police and fire stations, and other locations.

“We would all be within one block of each other,” said City Manager Steve Spina.

The City Hall complex marks the second major project Harvard Jolly and contractor A.D. Morgan has designed for the city in recent years.

In 2013, both firms were hired to help design the public library.

They later faced scrutiny over the project’s escalating costs.

At the time, the council was presented with an 8,500-square-foot facility for $1.7 million, but overall costs ended up totaling $2.26 million, a 33 percent increase from what the council originally agreed upon.

Spina, though, has reassured the council a similar instance will not occur, with members being involved in the project “every step of the way.”

Along with Spina, other city staff who’ve served on the City Hall review committee are: Sandra Amerson, Bill Burgess. Brian Williams, Gail Hamilton, Lori Hillman, Todd Vande Berg, Mike Panak and Shane LeBlanc.

Published February 1, 2017

Zephyrhills opts to build new City Hall

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The city of Zephyrhills is getting a brand-new City Hall after all.

Following several weeks of dialogue, the Zephyrhills City Council unanimously approved a motion to build a new structure at the existing City Hall site, at 5335 Eighth St.

The new facility is expected be about 5,000-square-feet larger than the current 11,000-square-foot building,

It likely will have a modernized brick and stone exterior.

The interior may feature more open workspaces and multifunctional meeting rooms, which can flexibly be used to accommodate public events.

The council had considered the feasibility of housing the city’s headquarters at the 20,000-square-foot SunTrust bank building, at 5435 Gall Blvd.

This is the current City Hall building, at 5335 Eighth St.(File Photo)
This is the current City Hall building, at 5335 Eighth St. (File Photo)

But, council members decided a new building was the best option after cost estimates showed the two projects have roughly the same price tag of $6 million.

Additional costs—including architect and contractor fees—could bring the entire project’s price tag to about $7.7 million.

Councilman Lance Smith said evaluating the two options was a “good exercise,” but noted the 44-year-old SunTrust building had too many red flags.

“Obviously, we can’t have cost overruns, but on an unknown building like that, you just don’t know what they’re going to be. That scares me quite a bit,” Smith said during the Sept. 26. council meeting.

Smith added a new City Hall building is more likely to “last the test of time,” compared to an older, refurbished building.

“I think a civic building should be something that you build…for a lifetime,” Smith said. “I think there’s something to be said for having a civic building the community looks to and has pride in.”

Councilman Ken Burgess concurred with Smith, echoing additional concerns about the substantial costs of preliminary overhauls such as a new roof and air conditioning for the bank building.

“With the new building, you’re going to get the latest in ‘green’ building technology, and energy efficiency,” Burgess said. “We could probably do some things to the old building, but it would probably not be as energy efficient as the new building would be.”

Councilman Charles Proctor said he was, at one point, convinced the SunTrust building was the best option, but later felt “uneasy” as more information about the site was presented.

“I just feel more comfortable with giving the people a brand-new building versus a ‘brand-new’ 50-year-old building,” Proctor said.

On a related note, the council also approved an agreement with A.D. Morgan to serve as construction manager for the city hall project.

The Tampa-based contractor will work closely with architectural firm Harvard Jolly.

The project is expected to take about 20 months to complete, which incorporates about eight months of design and 12 months of construction.

It marks the second major Zephyrhills project in recent years for both firms.

In 2013, both firms were hired to design and build the Zephyrhills Public Library. They later faced scrutiny over the project’s escalating costs.

At the time, Harvard Jolly and A.D. Morgan presented the council with an 8,500-square-foot facility for $1.7 million, but overall costs ended up totaling $2.26 million, a 33 percent increase from what the council originally agreed upon.

Councilman Smith warned the two firms, who were both in attendance, not to make the same mistake twice.

“All of us up here are going to be really, really cost conscience because of prior experience. I don’t think we’ll be cheap, but if we come in at some significant overruns, we’ll have to do something different,” said Smith.

Council vice president Alan Knight added: “I want them to be very accountable.”

City Manager Steve Spina doubled down on previous statements that the council will be included “in every step” of the design-build process.

“You’ll be much more in the loop,” Spina said, addressing the council. “If there’s anything that comes along that could be a potential change in cost, you’ll know about it immediately.”

Published October 5, 2016

Zephyrhills considers two City Hall options

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The Zephyrhills City Council is continuing to consider its options regarding a new City Hall.

Under one option, a new building would be erected at the existing City Hall site, 5335 Eighth St. Under the other, the SunTrust Bank building at at 5435 Gall Blvd., would be purchased and renovated.

Todd Vande Berg, city planning director, detailed the pros and cons of each option in a PowerPoint presentation during a special City Council meeting on Sept. 14.

This is the current City Hall building, at 5335 Eighth St.(File Photo)
This is the current City Hall building, at 5335 Eighth St.(File Photo)

The new City Hall building, at about 16,500 square feet, would cost about $7.7 million, while the purchase and renovation of the 44-year-old SunTrust Bank, which is about 21,500 square feet, would cost about $6.2 million, according to Vande Berg’s presentation.

Some challenged the accuracy of those projections.

City Manager Steve Spina reasoned that total costs between the two options would wind up being closer than the report shows.

“The new construction (estimates) for the new building is too high, and the renovation of the SunTrust building is too low,” Spina said. “We need to balance those out a little bit, because we’re not going to build at almost $400 per square foot, and I don’t think you can do the (SunTrust) at $180 per square foot.”

Further, he said, contractor quotes on the SunTrust building can’t be taken at face value, due to the distinctions in municipal building codes.

“We operate under different rules. We can’t accept those (contractor) quotes to fix the roof, or fix the air, or fix the elevator,” Spina explained. “We have to go out to bid and follow certain financial requirements. That always changes things.”

He continued: “There are procedures that we follow required by our own ordinances and state law that will make things cost more.”

City council members, too, voiced their concerns about the aesthetics and exterior of the SunTrust building, and the practicality of purchasing a 44-year-old building.

“It’s not really the most attractive building,” councilman Ken Burgess said.

Councilman Lance Smith concurred: “I’m not sure we want a City Hall that looks like a 40-year old building.”

Smith added that purchasing the SunTrust building, too, might be a “lost opportunity” for private businesses in Zephyrhills.

“I think about the Kmart building that is up the street (on Market Square) and then lo and behold, Florida Medical comes into that building. I don’t know if the government had bought that building that we’d have Florida Medical,” Smith explained. “That being said, I’m concerned about this (City Hall) site as well.”

Council vice president Alan Knight said, for him, “it’s all about the money” in making a decision on whether to proceed with erecting a new city hall, or purchasing the bank building.

Knight agreed with the city manager, saying he believes the cost estimates for both options are actually closer than what was presented, and said he is leaning toward designing a new city hall.

“I said from the beginning that if we couldn’t save at least $2 million, I don’t see it,” Knight said about the option to purchase the SunTrust building. “I would venture to say…that we’re looking at $300,000 to $500,000 in unknown.”

Another point brought up during the nearly 90-minute meeting concentrated on the amount of additional investigation that should be made into the SunTrust option. It’s estimated that an initial structural assessment of the building may cost $15,000 to $30,000.

“How far do we want to take this? How much money do we want to invest in looking into it?” said councilman Charles Proctor.

Proctor added the choice will be “really, really tough,” but, said he “doesn’t see a major savings” with the SunTrust option.

“To me, I would rather have a brand-new building, but on the same hand, I would never approve a new building at that ($375 per square-foot) rate.”

During a regularly scheduled council meeting on Aug. 22, Spina said he was “adamantly against” the city purchasing the SunTrust building. During that meeting, Spina noted the city — if they purchased the building — would also lose its tax rolls, which total about $15,000 per year.

A final decision on the City Hall is expected at the council’s next meeting, slated for Sept. 26.

Dialogue aside, the wheels have been in motion to construct a new city hall on the existing site.

On July 11, the council approved a $590,900 contract with the architecture firm Harvard Jolly, to help design a new city hall.

In 2013, Harvard Jolly was hired to help design the Zephyrhills Public Library. The firm later faced scrutiny over the project’s escalating costs.

The City Hall design agreement includes a clause that requires the firm to provide a maximum price for the project.

Spina addressing the council, said they will be involved in the building process “every step of the way.”

“The things that are going to be proposed…are not going to be exorbitant,” Spina said. “They’re going to be tasteful, and they’re going to be reasonable. They’re going to suit the community and suit our needs, and we’re not going to build a Taj Mahal.”

In other business, the council approved first reading ordinances setting the millage rate and budget for fiscal year 2016-2016. The nearly $68.7 million budget is based on a 6.35 millage rate.

Build on existing City Hall site
Land Size

  • 52,000 square feet, 1.19 acres

Building Size

  • 16,500 square feet (proposed)
  • Projected cost: $7.7 million, according to the workshop presentation

Purchase and renovate SunTrust building site
Land Size

  • 71, 800 square feet, 1.65 acres, plus additional outparcels owned by SunTrust

Building Size

  • 21,500 square feet (existing)
  • Projected cost: $6.2 million, according to the workshop presentation

Published September 21, 2016