Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Parks & Recreation Department

 

DATE:           February 6, 2012        

 

TO:              Dave Corliss, City Manager,

Cynthia Wagner, Assistant City Manager

                   Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager    

 

FROM:          Ernie Shaw, Interim Director Parks & Recreation

 

RE:               Architectural | Fundraising Services - Lawrence Activity and Wellness Center

 

Please include the following items on the City Commission agenda for consideration at the February 14, 2012, meeting:

 

Project Description

Six-person interview panels heard proposals from firms interested in providing services related to the proposed Lawrence Activity and Wellness Center. Five architectural and three fundraising firms were interviewed related to Request for Proposals Number R1202 and R1203 respectively by separate panels.

 

Architectural firms submitted proposals for conceptual design, construction estimates and site selection service. The interview panel recommends the City negotiates a contract with the local firm of Gould Evans to provide these services. The panel felt this firm demonstrated the greatest experience in the design of this type of facility and assembled the strongest team of support firms for the project.

 

Three fundraising firms were also interviewed for conducting a feasibility and campaign readiness study for a capital campaign related to the proposed Lawrence Activity and Wellness Center. The panel recommends the City contract with Jeffrey Byrne & Associates, Inc. to provide the initial feasibility study and campaign readiness study. This will include conducting interviews with 25-30 possible donors and community leaders and provide consulting services to outline the groundwork for a fundraising campaign. The panel felt this firm had good local knowledge and the highest degree of success in previous campaigns involving public/private fundraising partnerships.

 

Project Funding

Funding for these services will come from Sales Tax Reserve.

 

Action Request

  1. Authorize City Manager to execute contract with Gold Evans for conceptual design, construction estimates and site selection service for the proposed Lawrence Activity and Wellness Center at a cost of $55,000.
  2. Authorize City Manager to execute contract with Jeffrey Byrne & Associates Inc. to provide the fundraising campaign readiness (feasibility) study for the Lawrence Activities and Wellness Center at a cost of $16,500.