Subject:
Title
Direction Re: Moore Justice Center Expansion Study - District 4
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Fiscal Impact:
To be determined based on Board direction. Option 1 is estimated to cost $5.175M. Option 2 is estimated to cost $6.144M. The current budget is approximately $5.590M which is comprised of $5.5M grant funds and a balance of $90,000 from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. If the Board approves Option 2, the required additional funding of $554K will be programmed into the FY24-25 budget from General Fund Balance Forward.
Dept/Office:
Public Works Department/Facilities
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested the Board consider the two options presented from the Moore Justice Center Expansion Study and provide direction. It is also requested the Board authorize the County Manager to execute any contract-related documents and budget change requests associated with all phases of this project, including design, post-design, and construction phases.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
On October 10 ,2023, the Board approved the Chair to enter into an Agreement with the Florida State Courts System. The agreement requires the project plan to be approved by both the Chair and the Chief Judge of the 18th Judicial Circuit before being ultimately approved by the Office of The State Courts Administrator Grant Manager and receipt of a signed grant to move forward with a design.
The County subsequently awarded Request for Qualifications RFQ-6-3-11 Professional Services Architectural/Engineering for the Moore Justice Center Courthouse Expansion to Silling Architects on October 10, 2023. The consultant conducted a project kickoff meeting on November 1, 2023, which included a Steering Committee, various stakeholders, and staff. Over several months, meetings were held to discuss the project objectives, findings, schedule, and budget. Silling also conducted an assessment of Court operations and performed various interviews. At the conclusion of the study phase, the consultant presented the planning options to the Steering Committee on January 10, 2024, to obtain their input on the four recommendations. The Steering Committee ultimately down-selected to just two options and Silling delivered its Final Study to the County on March 20, 2024.
The full report of the Final Study contains exempt information under Chapter 119 (3), F.S., and cannot be shared with the public due to the inclusion of building schematics throughout. However, staff can brief Commissioners or provide limited access to the Final Study for review upon request. Additionally, a short brief will be provided by Silling during the Board meeting regarding the assessment and options.
Staff seeks Board direction on which of the two below options to pursue:
Option 1 is estimated to cost $5.175M
• New Jury Assembly Area: Capacity 275
• Litigation Space: (2) 720 SF Hearing Rooms
• Law Library Consolidation
• Clerk Evidence Expansion
Option 2 is estimated to cost $6.144M
• New Jury Assembly Area: Capacity 275
• Litigation Space: (1) 700 SF Hearing Room and (1) 1,500 SF Jury Capable Courtroom
• Law Library Consolidation
• Clerk Evidence Expansion
Both options will include the full utilization of the Melbourne and Titusville Courthouses. Option 2 will also require the relocation of the Witness Center within the Moore Justice Center. It is anticipated that Option 1 will take approximately twenty months to complete the design, permitting, bidding, and construction phases. Option 2 is estimated to take 22 months to complete. Option 2 also allows for future flexibility and would leverage the grant to defer the potential need for expansion by at least 5-10 years.
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
None