Item Description:
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Amend the 2025 Capital Budget to increase Library Replacement (CP 1004468); transfer $2,000,000 in existing budget authority from six identified capital projects
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the Capital Budget for the Westonka Library Replacement project (CP 1004468) be increased from $17,500,000 to $19,500,000, with the $2 million increase funded with a transfer of existing capital budget authority from six identified capital projects to cover construction costs; and the Controller be authorized to transfer and disburse funds as directed.end
Background:
History:
The current Westonka Library, located at 2079 Commerce Boulevard in Mound, MN, is an 8,600 gross square foot, one-story building, situated on a 1.68-acre site with surface parking for 48 vehicles. Board Resolution 23-0409 approved the schematic design for a new 12,000 gross square foot, single-story, building with 29 parking stalls, EV-ready infrastructure to serve two stalls, and landscaping and site improvements. The new net-zero building will align with the county’s climate action plan through its use of renewable geothermal and solar energy.
In Fall 2024, a best-value request for proposals was issued, garnering six proposals on December 4, 2024. Of the six proposals received, the lowest was 25.5 percent over the professional cost estimate of $11,420,000 and the second to highest proposal was just under 70 percent over the cost estimate. The solicitation was cancelled, and the architect was directed to value engineer the project to lower the cost. At the county’s direction, the architect also retained a second professional cost estimator for the value-engineered designed. The construction estimate for the value-engineered design was $13,000,000.
The value-engineered design retained the project’s previously approved net-zero energy features, gross square footage, programmatic features and overall aesthetics. Savings were accomplished through refinement of details and material selections for roofing, siding, interior and porch ceilings, boardwalk piers and casework. Interior and exterior wall framing was change from wood to more conventional metal studs. Modifications were also made to the Glu-lam framing, including changing wood species and using engineered I-beams in lieu of more expensive Glu-lam purlins.
The value-engineered construction documents were issued for best-value proposals on April 15, 2025, garnering eight proposals on May 20, 2025; one proposer subsequently withdrew. The four lowest-cost proposals ranged from 11 percent to 16 percent over the published professional cost estimate. The highest-scoring proposer’s cost is 11 percent above the published estimate.
The 2025 -2029 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) included a total project budget of $17,500,000 for the Westonka Library Replacement, in alignment with the schematic design approved by the county board in Resolution 23-0409. Based on open-market proposals received after value engineering, the project’s actual cost is $19,500,000.
Current Request:
Approval is requested to transfer $2,000,000 in existing capital budget authority from six identified capital projects to the Westonka Library Replacement project (CP 1004468), as shown below, thereby increasing the CP 1004468 capital budget from $17,500,000 to $19,500,000 (see attached tables).
Impact/Outcomes:
This project will improve the asset infrastructure, improve customer access to library services and staff, and improve overall staff efficiencies.
Asset infrastructure improvements will:
• Reduce the county’s carbon footprint by replacing a 1970s structure with a new net-zero facility, with geothermal heat source and solar photovoltaic panels;
• Offer improved amenities for library patrons, including private study rooms, a video; conferencing room, a wellness room, and learn-through-play elements for children;
• Meet other county climate action priorities through native plantings, onsite stormwater processing, improved connectivity for alternate modes of transportation;
• Improved security and access to technology.
The renovation will support Hennepin County Library’s Strategic Plan which includes the following goals for building projects:
• Provide flexible spaces to respond to changing communities and demographics
• Configure spaces to reflect new and broader purposes
• Create library environments that are welcoming, safe and secure,
The library will be closed during construction for 15 months (Summer 2025 through Fall 2026).
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval