EEDB voices support for auditorium renovation
Board also approves $2.2 million from one-cent tax funds toward the estimated $5.6 million project
City officials agree that the El Dorado Municipal Auditorium is an asset to the community, and members of the El Dorado Economic Development Board voiced their support Tuesday of a master plan for the facility before discussing how to use the city’s remaining economic development sales tax budget to help fund the improvements.
Blake Dunn, of CADM Architecture, Inc., presented a preliminary budget estimate of $5.6 million to renovate the EMA inside and out, including all new building systems — air/ heating, electrical, fire protection, etc. — a new roof, an expansion of the lobby that would extend to an outdoor patio/plaza, new restrooms, and other upgrades that will respect the architectural integrity of the building.
CADM architect Michael Rogers assisted with the presentation.
After some discussion, the EEDB approved $2.2 million from the “place” category of the one-cent, El Dorado Forward economic development tax, and Mayor Frank Hash listed other options, including the city’s reserve coffers or a bond issue, to cover the remainder of the $5.6 million.
Alan Gober, treasurer of the EEDB, suggested that Hash check with city attorney Henry Kinslow and the Little Rock law firm of Friday, Eldredge and Clark to see if the city would be able to deviate from a 2007 resolution that spells out how revenue from the one- cent sales tax is to be spent.
Gober noted that the Friday firm drafted the resolution, which calls for the total El Dorado Forward budget to be divided among three categories: talent, industry, and place.
According to the resolution, money may be moved around to line items within a particular category, but it cannot be transferred to another category altogeth- er.
Based on numbers and budget projections presented by Gober on Tuesday, the tax, which will sunset next June, is expected to generate more than $37 million. The total amount includes grants and interest that have accrued over the life of the eight-year tax so far.
Gober said a $5 million gift from Murphy Oil to help build the El Dorado Conference Center was not included in the total. He projected that tax collections will come to $4.5 million for the remainder of 2014 through June of 2015.
Dunn recapped an overview of the EMA project that he presented to the EEDB last month, and he deconstructed the $5.6 million preliminary budget into $4.8 million for construction, which includes $230,000 for site improvements (parking lot entry, pedestrian walkway leading to the parking lot of Memorial Stadium, and a patio/plaza addition to the auditorium).
Renovations for the building came to $2.8 million and were broken down into interior (new finishes, seating, acoustical treatments and abatement); building systems ( HVAC replacement, new fire protection/ fire alarm system, electrical system modifications, new lighting control system/ interior lighting, and new telephone/data system); and roof replacement.
New construction/addition came to $1.8 million for the lobby expansion, boosting the capacity from 150 to about 450 – 500 people and adding value to the EMA; new restrooms; an additional egress from the balcony; and a side corridor to allow performers direct access from the stage to the lobby
Related expenses, such as architect/engineer design fees, site survey, etc., and a 10-percent contingency make up the remainder of the $5.6 million budget estimate.
“We feel good. We’ve addressed issues that our consulting engineers have identified as deficiencies, and we’ve addressed issues that user groups have identified as functional issues in the building. At this point, we believe our preliminary design addresses all that, and it’s reflected in our cost estimates,” Dunn said.
Gober asked about the seats that will replace existing seats for the 1,800-capacity performance hall, and Dunn said they would be metal seats with cushioned bottoms and backs.
Gober also pointed out that when the EMA was built in 1957, it came with plenty of leg room, noting that newer facilities “don’t have as much” space. He asked if seating comfort will come with the new aesthetics of the building.
“No one has said we need an additional 10 percent of seating in the building,” Dunn said, referring to meetings with local user groups and engineering consultants.
An at-risk construction manager arrangement was used for the construction of the El Dorado Conference Center and Gober asked Dunn what he recommended for the EMA project.
“We want to keep the building functional as long as we can to minimize the time when the building is not usable,” Dunn said before advising against an at-risk construction manager.
Rather, Dunn recommended a construction manager/ general contractor agreement, explaining that with such an arrangement, the city would sign a single contract with the construction manager, instead of multiple contracts with the CM and subcontractors.
“That requires them to give you a price that includes everything, and it’s incumbent on them to define ‘everything.’ With at-risk, when you have different trade packages … something gets missed,” Dunn said.
Hash asked how much of the construction would fall under the capabilities of local contractors, and Dunn said, “I think a significant amount.”
Dunn said there aren’t many large general contractors within a 50- to 60-mile radius of El Dorado, but the area is flush with subcontractors that could bid on plumbing, electrical, painting, concrete, and other jobs.
Robert Reynolds, chairman of the EEDB, said that while board members supported the effort, they also had to be mindful of the resources that remain in the “place” category of the El Dorado Forward tax.
Hash inquired about the difference between “place” and “industry.”
Gober explained that “place” projects, such as the ECC and city parks, enhance the quality of life for local residents, while “industry” projects are oriented toward job creation and related infrastructure.
“We know sometimes those things get blurred, but we’ve tried to be accountable to ourselves and to the citizens who are paying the tax,” Gober said.
Hash asked if the EEDB would commit the $2.2 million in the place category if the city could find a way to make up the difference.
“I just don’t think it’s an apple you can take one bite off of. You either do this baby or you don’t,” Hash said.
Dr. Barbara Jones, president of South Arkansas Community College, later asked if the EMA is a historic building, suggesting that historic preservation funds could be available to help cover the renovation costs
Rogers said the El Dorado Historic District Commission is working on a survey to determine the eligibility of the EMA and several other buildings for a new local historic district to be nominated for the National Register of Historic Places.
The EEDB voted to take the recommendation to the El Dorado City Council for final approval. Joffre Long, EEDB vice-chairman, said he would also like to see the clarification that Gober requested about the deviation from the 2007 resolution passed by the council.
Added Gober, “You understand that the $2.2. million is a projection? It’s a safe projection, but it’s a projection.”
In other business, the EEDB heard an update from Rogers about efforts to improve the city’s gateways.
Rogers, a member of the gateway task force, said the group has decided to turn over to CADM the task of finalizing construction and bid documents for a brick monument to be set up at the city’s Arkansas 7 entrance.
The sign will be placed at El Dorado Chemical, and Rogers said the documents should be ready to submit to the city by next week. He said there will be a base cost for each sign, with varying costs for site utilities — including electricity and water — and dirt work.
Paperwork is being finalized to purchase property to set up a second monument on U.S. 82, just past Arkansas 335, Rogers said.
The group has tried in vain to find spots at U.S. 167 north and south, and Rogers said that once the first monument is set up, U.S. 167 property owners who turned down the task force may reconsider. Wayfinding signs have also been purchased and are being stored by the city, which will install the signs. A local sign provider will take care of the text for the signs, Rogers noted.
He said wayfinding component project will work “outside in,” leading visitors inside city limits. Wayfinding signs, particularly those in the downtown area, will be installed with efforts by El Dorado Festivals and Events, Inc.