Of these funds, approximately $564,727.00 have been spent on or earmarked for preliminary design services, land acquisition, demolition, staff charges, etc.

A request for Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) was advertised in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on July 30, 2015 and August 6, 2015.  After reviewing the SOQ and conducting interviews, the City engaged the architectural firm of Perkins & Will, Inc., to provide limited programming assistance with site selection and to conduct certain public meetings.

During these meetings, the Como Community (Community) and City established the location to be in Chamberlin Park.  The Community's needs and desires for the project's total program greatly increased its proposed scope and size.  The Community and City also identified a funding and programming partner for the project, A.P. Ranch, Inc. (AP Ranch), which has a history of serving the Community.  

AP Ranch engaged the architectural firm of HKS, Inc. (HKS), to assist with design concepts and cost estimating for their participation in this project. The resulting concept suggests a 23,500 square foot community center, a 25,000 square foot double-gym, and a full-size synthetic athletic field with a walking track. However, it is anticipated that it will be necessary to modify the scope in order to meet available resources and a feasible capital campaign. Modifications may include reduction in classroom space, a single gym, consolidation of the gymnasium and community center, among others.

Based on this information, AP Ranch has committed to leading fundraising for this expanded project; however, the final scope of the project will be contingent upon fundraising or a private financial guarantee prior to the start of construction. The Carter Foundation has made an initial commitment of $750,000.00 for the athletic field.  It is anticipated that the City will design and construct the new community center and AP Ranch will design and construct a new gymnasium and athletic field with track unless design changes make this separation of responsibilities impractical. The cost allocation between these two components and associated shared infrastructure and site preparation will be finalized during design and fundraising to ensure that the public commitment is not exceeded. This contract with HKS, Inc., includes design of the community center as suggested and may be amended as the project evolves.

Throughout the process, Staff has met with the Como Leadership Council and the Como Neighborhood Advisory Council to review concepts and programming priorities.

HKS is fully qualified to design all aspects of this project with design experience in municipal project, sporting venues, community centers, etc.  In order to coordinate the City's design efforts with AP Ranch, Staff recommends the City Council authorize execution of a design Agreement with HKS for the new Como Community Center.

In order to gain the flexibility of constructability input during design and real time cost estimating, the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) procurement method was selected for construction.   A request for SOQs for CMAR contractors was advertised in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on March 17, 2017,  March 23, 2017 and March 30, 2017.  The City received SOQs from 11 offerors.  A selection team, comprised of representatives of Neighborhood Services Department, Park and Recreation Department, Property Management Department, the Office of Business Diversity, and AP Ranch reviewed the SOQs and conducted interviews.  The selection team recommends Muckleroy & Falls (Muckleroy) as the best value CMAR contractor. A CMAR Pre-Construction Services Contract will be awarded administratively to Muckleroy in the amount of $17,000.00.  A separate M&C will be presented to the City Council for approval of the CMAR Construction Contract when the project reaches that phase.

The process of engaging the architect and the CMAR will allow continued progress on the project while it is determined if the full scope is viable. The team will continue to work on options regarding value-engineering and scope-reduction options. There is some inherent risk that the community center design would need to be modified to include a gymnasium if the private partnership is not successfully concluded. However, Staff believes the risk of diminishing value of construction dollars to be significant and recommends that we proceed as described. Prior to awarding a construction contract, the City Council will be presented a scope that is fully-funded.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with AP Ranch, Inc.:

In order to continue defining the final scope and budget, the City and AP Ranch will engage in a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with the following key provisions.            

        1.  City will engage HKS and Muckleroy to design and provide pre-construction services,
              respectively, for the community center contingent upon the final scope.        

        2.  AP Ranch will engage HKS and Muckleroy to design and provide pre-construction services,
             respectively, for the gymnasium and athletic field and track contingent upon the final scope.          

        3.  Both parties will act in good faith in value engineering and scope reduction to meet the financial
             constraints and to distribute project costs accordingly.          

        4.  All funding or a private financial guarantee will be in place prior to the award of construction
             contracts;                

        5.  Future operations anticipate a Cooperative Agreement that facilitates the long-term commitment
             of AP Ranch to support programming and activities at the facility (ies).        

        6.  The City will continue to fund existing operating costs and programs at the facility, subject to the
             annual budget approval by the City Council, and will propose staffing commensurate with the final
             size and scope of the facility.  

Estimated Costs:

Construction - The estimated construction costs for the full potential scope of Como Community Center is $22.5 million with $11.7 million associated specifically with construction of the larger community center. As noted, only one-third of the funds are currently appropriated by the City and full development will be contingent upon the feasibility of the capital campaign.

This project is included in the 2014 Bond Program.  Available resources within the General Fund will be used to provide interim financing until debt is issued.  Once debt associated with the project is sold, bond proceeds will reimburse the General Fund, in accordance with the statement expressing official Intent to Reimburse that was adopted as part of the ordinance canvassing the bond election (Ordinance No. 21241-05-2014) and subsequent actions taken by the Mayor and Council.

City of Fort Worth Building and Trade Permit fees are waived.

The community center is to be located in COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.