The Seattle Public Library will hold a public hearing as required by RCW 39.10.030 on its intention to use a design-build contracting process to design and build the exterior glass and aluminum walls of the new Central Library. The hearing will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31, at the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Lee Auditorium, third floor.
A design-build process would allow the Library to request and evaluate detailed cost and performance proposals from pre-qualified firms before entering into a contract for the work.
The Library favors a design-build process because it allows the Library's project team to weigh system performance as well as cost, the process is expected to result in lower costs, and it is the industry standard for design of similar systems, which contractors often refer to as "curtainwall" projects.
Written comments also may be sent to Capital Program Director Alexandra Harris, Seattle Public Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle, WA 98104-1193. Comments must be received by 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31.
The Library will report the results of the public review process to the Seattle City Council. The Council has given its preliminary approval to the Library to use the design-build process, but must make a final determination before the Library can proceed.
The Council is expected to act in early November.
Hoffman Construction of Washington is the general contractor/construction manager for the overall construction of the new Central Library. If the City Council makes a final determination to use a design-build process for the curtainwall portion of the project, the Library will evaluate proposals and enter into a contract with the preferred firm. The Library intends to assign the resulting design-build contract to Hoffman Construction so that overall responsibility for the construction of the new Central Library will remain with a single entity.
The $159 million, 355,000-square-foot library is scheduled to open on the existing library site at 1000 Fourth Ave. in 2003. The new library is part of the $196.4 million "Libraries for All" bond measure that Seattle voters passed in 1998 to upgrade the Library's 109-year-old system. The plan calls for improving or replacing all 22 branch libraries and building three new branches. For more information about Libraries for All, visit the Library's Web site at www.spl.org and select "Libraries for All capital projects."
(For more information, call Caroline Young Ullmann, communications assistant, 206-615-1627.)
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Content modified: 10 October 2000
12/30/2005
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