5.2. SR 11-13-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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As a point of comparison, the existing building (including second floor space) is approximately 20,000 square feet, and the cold storage building is about 7,800 square feet in size. In order to accommodate the parking of all vehicles and equipment under heated cover, and to provide an office and operations area that is ADA compliant, efficient and serviceable (for the long term) our projection for a current optimum building area is 86,000 square feet. Projected out twenty years to thirty years, we anticipate that the facility may some day need to increase to an overall size of 112,000 to 122,000 square feet. This is important, if for no other reason, so that we can determine if the existing site can accommodate the long term size and site space needs for the public works department. CURRENT SITE AND OPTIONAL NEW SITES The existing building, while not problem-free, is structurally sound and re-usable. If the current site is considered by council to be the permanent site for public works operations, we would recommend re-using the facility, renovating it and incorporating it into a long term plan. Regardless of how the building is expanded, the building will not be as efficient and reliable as an entirely new facility. It just does not make economic sense to demolish orreplace a structure that is sound and workable. Thus, we plan on reusing this structure in any expansion scheme on the existing site. Perhaps the most important issue relative to increasing space public works operations is to determine ifthe existing site is considered the permanent long-term public works site. If our assumptions for the current and projected space needs are correct, the existing site will be workable and of sufficient size over the long term, but there are caveats. The site is also adequate for the near term, relative to overall space requirements, site storage, on- site traffic, operations and related items, but there are minor caveats for this as well. We can expound on the issues in the expansion of the public works building and operations, but the following is a list of the key challenges to expansion on site: Wetlands surround the site and limit options for expansion of the facility The wetland at the front (east) portion of the site cannot be modified, by law The existing salt storage building may need to be modified or relocated The existingfueling island may need to be relocated, tanks may need replacement Some day, the ballfields may need to be relocated to accommodate expansion During an expansion, operations will be compromised by construction activities In addition to the current site, there were discussions concerning other potential sites within the City of Elk River. If a new site for public works operations was considered important by Council, the site would need to be in the range of 20 acres, perhaps more, depending on the ratio between buildable versus non-buildable land. In performing a cursory and preliminary site layout, for cost comparison purposes, it was apparent that the total cost to build an entirely new facility on an aquired piece of 4