Committee receives Capitol restoration scope, schedule
Suggested schedule, phasing could save millions from initial estimates
OKLAHOMA CITY — The
State Capitol Repair Expenditure Oversight Committee on Thursday received a
proposed interior construction schedule that could cause work to begin sooner
than expected while reducing tenant relocation expenses by millions of dollars.
Manhattan
Construction and Frankfurt Short Bruza Architects & Engineers, the
construction and design firms working with the state to restore the interior of
the Capitol, delivered a report to the committee on the interior project's
proposed scope of work, phasing and timelines.
In
the report, the firms propose using a “single move strategy” wherever possible
that would see many Capitol tenants move only once, from their current office
space to newly restored office space elsewhere in the building. For many
tenants, this approach would eliminate the need to make multiple moves to and
from temporary office space in and out of the Capitol building before returning
to their current space.
The
cost of securing temporary tenant office space, often referred to as “swing
space,” was initially projected at $7.7 million. Using a single move strategy
would significantly reduce or eliminate that cost and allow more funds to be
spent on other components of the project.
“The
approach we’re suggesting represents a much more efficient use of taxpayer
resources and the least disruption to the functions of the building,” said Kyle
Nelson, project director for Manhattan Construction.
As
part of the proposed single move strategy, construction would begin this summer
to prepare first and third floor office space for tenants currently housed in
the west wing of the Capitol basement. Several aging, inadequate building
mechanical systems that will be replaced during the restoration are housed in the west wing of the basement.
“Relocating
west basement tenants is a prerequisite to beginning the major mechanical
infrastructure work necessary in those areas. The area has some of the
building’s most substandard office space and needs to be as empty as possible when
work begins,” Nelson said.
Interior
construction had previously been expected to begin in early 2016. The committee
approved the report and sent it the Office of Management and Enterprise
Services, which is managing the project with the committee and the state’s selected
contractors. The report is available by clicking here.
“Manhattan
and FSB have presented an aggressive strategy that minimizes disruption and
maximizes the project’s limited resources. Having received direction from the
committee, we will initiate this approach immediately,” said OMES State Capitol
Project Manager Trait Thompson.
The
committee on Thursday also received information about ongoing assessments of
the building's historic components and mechanical systems. As part of the
conditions assessment, Frankfurt Short Bruza Architects & Engineers has
built the first-ever complete three-dimensional building information model of
the Capitol. The technology is being used to create a comprehensive,
interactive database of Capitol office space and mechanical systems that will
be used to develop plans for the construction phase of the project.
“3D
building information models are demystifying the complexities of the building’s
many mechanical systems like never before and will further assist efforts to
redesign those systems to meet future needs,” said Fred Schmidt, principal in charge
for Frankfurt Short Bruza Architects & Engineers.
In
addition to project planning for interior restoration, trial repairs for the
exterior restoration, which is being managed through a separate process, are also
underway.
Media Contact
JOHN ESTUS Director of Public Affairs (405) 521-3097 | john.estus@omes.ok.gov
About the Office of Management and Enterprise Services
The Office of Management and Enterprise Services
provides financial, property, purchasing, human resources and
information technology services to all state agencies, and assists the
Governor’s Office on budgetary policy matters. Our mission: Supporting our partners through unified business services. For more information, visit OMES.OK.gov.
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