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46 <br /> <br />REPORT: COURT FACILITIES STUDY <br /> Mr. Bill Letted, Facilities Manager for the City, explained that in recognition of <br />rising caseloads and space deficiencies in all City and County courts, a study was <br />commissioned in 1997 which studied existing conditions of the five courts and made <br />caseload projects. Mr. Letteri said that a Committee, composed of staff and citizens, <br />recommended four scenarios that represent compromises. Mr. Letteri asked that Council <br />authorize the City Manager to appoint a small committee, to include one Councilor, to <br />work with the County to make recommendations. Mr. Letteri introduce Mr. Jay Moore <br />ofMoseley, Ha,'xis and McClintock Architects who conducted the study. <br /> Mr. Moore reviewed the scope of the study and guiding principles. He said that <br /> 12 sites were evaluated and development alternatives were narrowed to either one or both <br /> of two sites: High Street and Market Street. Mr. Moore gave a slide presentation of the <br /> proposed alternatives and locations. <br /> Ms. Peacock thanked the Committee members for their participation in the <br /> process and asked Council to authorize the City Manager to form a committee to work <br /> with the County. Ms. Peacock said that much remains to be worked out, and noted that <br /> Albemarle County has agreed to the formation of the committee. <br /> Mr. Cox asked if the committee will work to develop a consensus with the County <br /> on which of the scenarios to recommend, and Ms. Peacock said yes, and it will also <br /> recommend how to phase the project. Ms. Peacock said that questions also remain about <br /> parking and how costs will be allocated. <br /> Mr. Cox said that he feels it would be helpful to the committee to know where <br /> Council is leaning regarding locations. <br /> Mr. Lynch said the Market Street Site is the only One he would favor at this time. <br /> He asked if the cost projections take the sale of the building into consideration, and Ms. <br /> Peacock said it does not. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch aSked if there is a standard for the correct amount of space per person <br />in court buildings, and Mr. Moore said there is not, but said there are a number of spaces <br />that are not used by employees, such as the courtroom, jury room, witness room, etc. Mr. <br />Moore said he could gather information ~om other localities. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said it is hard to ignore the large cost of this, which he estimated to be <br />$500 per square feet, and aSked why the cost is so high. <br /> <br />Ms. Peacock said the cost includes renovating other buildings. <br /> <br />Mr. Moore said the actual building costs are in the $160 per square feet range. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he would hate for the public perspective to be lost in this new <br />committee. <br /> Mr. Peacock said the City Manager will take that under advisement. Ms. Peacock <br />said the committee needs to be able to get down to the nitty gritty and move forward, and <br />said the committee needs to move into a different arena since the original committee was <br />not able to come to agreement. <br /> Mr. Cox recommended that staff take a straw poll regarding the direction Council <br />would like to take. <br /> Mr. Caravati said that the Council representative on the committee could do that. <br /> <br />Ms. Richards said She thinks the committee is a good idea. <br /> <br />Mr. Lynch agreed with Mr. Cox about maintaining citizen involvement. <br /> <br />Mr. Toscano said the committee is fine with him. <br /> <br /> <br />