C7C - Approve Updated Conceptual Design for 72nd Stre...

Resolutions - C7 C

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION

The Administration recommends adopting the Resolution to approve the updated conceptual design for the 72 Street Community Complex Project (Project) to be presented at the May 2025 Design Review Board (DRB) meeting, as scheduled.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

On November 6, 2018, Miami Beach residents approved a ballot measure, which authorized the issuance of a general obligation bond (G.O. Bond) for, among other projects, the 72 Street Community Complex Project. City staff and the design criteria professional developed a feasibility study and Design Criteria Package (DCP) while meeting with project stake holders to discuss and refine project requirements. The Project program included a 500-space parking structure, 50- meter competition pool with support amenities, 25-meter multi-purpose pool, 5,000-10,000 SF Miami-Dade County Library, 5,000 SF commercial/retail, 7,500 SF fitness center, 5,000 SF community center, 60,000 SF of Active Green Space and a jogging path.

After unsuccessful negotiations with the design-build proposers and termination of the Request for Qualification (RFQ) procurement process, on December 14, 2022, the Mayor and the City Commission (City Commission) authorized the issuance of a new RFQ (RFQ No. 2023-121-ND), for architectural and engineering design services for the Project.

On March 27, 2023, the City Commission adopted Resolution 2023-32559 authorizing the Administration to enter into negotiations with Wannemacher Jensen Architects, Inc. (WJA) and on September 25, 2023, the City executed an agreement (Agreement) with WJA in the amount of $9,265,453.

WJA delivered a conceptual design in December 2023, which, following the preparation of conceptual cost estimates, exceeded the $70M construction budget. As a result, and in compliance with the terms of the Agreement, WJA was directed to re-design the project in order to meet the construction budget.

In February 2024, WJA submitted a revised design concept which despite having reduced the

projected construction cost, still exceeded the $70M specified construction budget. Certain value engineering (VE) strategies, representing cost savings, were identified for implementation. Confident that the project could be designed to budget, City staff authorized WJA to proceed to the 30% schematic design.

In September 2024, WJA submitted the 30% schematic design including renderings. The resulting cost estimate submitted by the Construction Manager at Risk (CMR) was approximately 14% over the $70M construction budget. VE strategies previously identified could potentially resolve the budget concerns.

City staff commenced the public outreach and stakeholder engagement process. The schematic design was presented, and received favorable support, at the November 14, 2024 meeting of the General Obligation Bond Oversight Committee, and the November 19, 2024 meetings of the Parks and Recreation Board, and the Committee for Quality Education in Miami Beach.

The Project included a multi-level mixed-use parking garage, including approximately 500 parking spaces, a 50-meter competition pool with support amenities, a 25-meter multi-purpose pool, 7,500 SF Miami-Dade County library, 5,000 SF commercial/retail space, 7,500 SF fitness center, 5,000 SF community center, 60,000 SF of active green space and jogging path. The current total project budget is $101,742,327.

ANALYSIS

During the December 11, 2024, meeting of the City Commission, the project was discussed as part of agenda item R9 E. The City Commission directed the Administration to add one (1) level of parking, explore adding pickleball courts or other activation to the top level of parking, incorporate a Myrtha Pool Stainless Steel Pool System, research public demand for the facility, investigate including a full running track around the field and commence public outreach. The Administration advised that the cost to add one level of additional parking would increase the total project budget by approximately $4.5M.

Following the December 11 meeting, at the direction of City staff, WJA updated the conceptual design to include a fifth level of parking, and six pickleball courts to the rooftop level, that could be activated when parking demands are low (Exhibit A), as requested by the City Commission. The Project will also maintain the Myrtha Pool system and decline the value engineering option which recommended changing the pool structure.

In response to the request to research market demand, with the goal of ensuring that the facility will be properly utilized, the City has contacted several local groups which might utilize the facility on a regular basis. Through the City’s Department of Education and Performance Initiatives, we have contacted Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) and other local non-MDCPS educational facilities. MDCPS responded positively, indicating that “this would be absolutely phenomenal.” They anticipate that several schools would be interested in utilizing the facility, and that it could be a great opportunity for their GMAC Swimming Tournament or the FHSAA District/Regional Tournaments hosted by the schools. Given the interest by MDCPS, it can be assumed that two or three additional schools may be interested in utilizing the facility. Separately, Miami Beach High indicated, in addition to regular training, that they would host five to six home swim meets per year in the fall and a number of water polo matches in the spring. Miami Beach High which has 20–30 athletes on their aquatic teams have also previously hosted national and international water polo tournaments. Additional programming opportunities could include hosting collegiate teams for training camps, usually lasting 1–2 weeks. Additionally, the Director of the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex indicated that we could easily attract Masters Swimming and potentially USA Swimming, as there are few facilities in Miami-Dade County that are available to these groups.

The City also conducted community outreach efforts and on January 14, 2025, WJA and City staff presented the updated conceptual design with renderings to the North Beach Community

Redevelopment Agency (NBCRA) Advisory Committee. The NBCRA passed a motion, submitted via LTC # 065-2025, supporting the conceptual design for the project as presented and recommended the continuation of the project design process toward the development of a world- class facility.

On February 12, 2025, a hybrid public community meeting was held, where WJA and City staff presented the updated conceptual design with renderings, reflecting the incorporation of the additional level of parking and pickleball courts placed at roof level for activation as requested by the City Commission. The meeting provided positive feedback and discussion which included the consideration of alternatives for temporary parking during construction, security concerns at all openings to the facility and pool, demand or need for a competition pool, concerns about adequate spectator seating for meets and events, traffic flow at garage entrance, preservation of as many mature trees as possible and maximizing shade canopy, creation of dimensional artistic screen for the west façade of the parking garage instead of a flat surface, shading for pickleball courts, and ensuring that the pickleball courts do not interfere with the full utilization of the garage when needed.

Additionally, the project team has carefully considered the suggestion to include a full running track around the multi-purpose field. This suggestion was challenging, and only made more so by other comments received, due to the fact that the size of the field is limited. Concerns regarding the preservation of existing, mature, landscaping and maximizing shade canopy at ground level, further reduced available area for the field. Nonetheless, the Project has ensured that a multi-purpose path circumnavigates the entire site, providing opportunities for both exercise and leisure activities, while maximizing the length of the path.

Finally, WJA has issued a Call to Artist to provide a unique work of art, as part of the Art in Public Places (AIPP) component of the project. The process has been coordinated with the Tourism & Culture Department which has provided feedback and guidance on the issuance of the Call to Artist. The selected artist will design and fabricate a unique art piece to be located at, and become a part of, the garage screening facing Harding Avenue. Other opportunities will also be explored.

All final documents (Exhibit B) for the May 15, 2025, Design Review Board (DRB) meeting have been submitted to the Planning Department. Comments received from the Planning Department staff and responses were incorporated into the final submittals. Comments received during the community outreach placed an emphasis on preserving existing trees and increasing shade canopy. Additional modifications to the DRB submittal resulting from feedback received from stakeholders will be incorporated and presented during the DRB presentation.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

The current total project budget is $101,742,327. Additional funding request in the amount of $4.5M has been included in the FY 26 Capital Budget.

Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)

If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

CONCLUSION

The Administration recommends adopting the Resolution to approve the updated conceptual design for the 72 Street Community Complex Project (Project) to be presented at the May 2025 Design Review Board (DRB) meeting, as scheduled.

Applicable Area

North Beach

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):

Department

Capital Improvement Projects

Sponsor(s)

Co-sponsor(s)

Condensed Title

Approval of Updated Conceptual Design for the 72nd Street Community Complex. CIP

Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)