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50 <br /> <br /> Ms. Alexandria Searls, 1316 Chesapeake Street, shared concerns expressed by Joan <br />Fenton. She said she would like to see the best architect do the design, but if people are <br />satisfied with the current architect, they should move forward. <br /> <br /> Mr. Jim Hingeley, Public Defender, urged Council to move immediately on the <br />recommendations. He said the public safety argument is compelling, but there is also an <br />issue of public service which is not provided adequately in the existing space. <br /> <br /> Mr. David Pettit, attorney and former member of the court study committee, <br />supported moving ahead with the project. Mr. Pettit said neighborhood representatives, <br />architects, historic preservationists and others served on the committee, and they tried to <br />take all things into consideratiorn Mr. Pettit said the negotiating committee was able to <br />balance competing interests. <br /> <br /> Mr. Frank Buck, President-Elect of the Bar Association, echoed the comments <br />made by those who support moving forward with the project. Mr. Buck said that former <br />Juvenile Court Judge Shannon, who was unable to attend this meeting, said when she <br />retired she left with a sense of relief that no one was killed or seriously injured while she <br />-was there. He said that Judge Shannon continues as a substitute judge, and she said that <br />no facility that she has gone to in the State is more inadequate than the Juvenile Court in <br />Charlottesville. Mr. Buck said very sensitive issues are dealt with in the Juvenile Court <br />and it is a very unsafe and crowded space. Mr. Buck said he shares the concerns about <br />the Court Square area, but he thinks the proposed design respects that concerto He noted <br />that the current architect designed the courthouse in Fluvanna County, and said that the <br />design will have to go before the Board of Architectural Review where refinements can <br />be made. <br /> <br /> Mr. Dave Chapman, Charlottesville Commonwealth Attorney and downtown <br />resident, echoed the need to move forward because of major safety concerns. He said <br />similar flaws exist in other courts in the City, and they all need to be moved forward in a <br />systematic way. Mr. Chapman said the condition of the Juvenile Court is demoralizing to <br />people Who work there and to the public. <br /> <br /> Mr. Ken Schwartz, 1933 Blue Ridge Road, an architect and former member of the <br />court study committee, read an e-mail from Anne Hemenway, former member of the <br />court study committee, who said she had always assumed that the architectural design <br />would be competitively bid. She also indicated disappointment that other court needs are <br />not addressed in the recommendation. Mr. Schwartz said there are differences between <br />programming, budgeting and design. He said he tblnks the architect has done a fine job <br />identifying needs, but the design appears to be happening by default. Mr. Schwartz said <br />he values competition and implored Council to considering doing so with utmost haste. <br /> <br />As there were no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell asked Council to look at the proposed elements of the RFP if that is <br />how they want to proceed, including: no changes to the footprint, no changes to the <br />programming; no changes to the parking deck; restore the building to the original design; <br />the cost not to exceed the amount in the recommendation; and the project length not <br />extended. Mr. O'Counell said that any design will be subject to BAR review. He said <br />Council can move forward with the recommendation or decide to issue an RFP. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati asked how much time is estimated to be added to issue an RFP and <br />would there be additional cost. <br /> <br /> Ms. Linda Peacock, Assistant City Manager, said staff estimate that 38 weeks will <br />be added to the process, but are not able to quantify the cost. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he did not think it was within the charge of the negotiating committee <br />to award the design contract to the current architect. <br /> <br /> Ms. Peacock said that the contract contains two phases, and the design contract can <br />be awarded to the current architect if approved. <br /> <br /> <br />