Sunset Valley City Council Civil & Family Courthouse April 21, 2015

Transcription

1 Sunset Valley City Council Civil & Family Courthouse April 21, 2015

2 Importance of the Court System The first duty of society is justice. -Alexander Hamilton The provision of safe, secure, accessible and functional facilities to house the Courts is a state mandated obligation of the Commissioners Court. 2

3 Growth Demands Travis County = Population 25,000 people , , ,158, ,631,951 3

4 Projected Space Needs = 10,000 sq. ft. Heman Marion Sweatt Courthouse 158,000 sf 2015 Need 318,000 sf 2025 Need 453,000 sf 2035 Need 509,000 sf 4

5 Heman Marion Sweatt Courthouse Designed for 3 courtrooms (1931) - Now houses 19 courtrooms - Current need: 24 courtrooms Three expansions since opening , 1962, and 1964 The building still has significant deficiencies. 5

6 HMS Courthouse Deficiencies Degraded infrastructure Costly to maintain Security weaknesses - No separation of in-custody participants No appropriate waiting areas for children ADA compliance issues No family considerations Inefficient courtroom layouts Inadequate jury facilities Poor user amenities Lacks technology capabilities 6

7 Existing HMS Courthouse Security Weaknesses Existing layout forces opposing parties into closequarters No dedicated victim waiting areas No holding cells for inmates No separate, secure corridors for Public, In-Custody & Judicial Officers 7

8 Degraded Infrastructure Out of service A/C required portable coolers for 6 months Frequent elevator outages Frequent plumbing issues Additional electrical capacity is cost prohibitive No additional sprinkler capacity Rodent infestations Telephone wires hang from hole cut into ceiling Water damaged ceiling tiles and documents Rat dander found around computer stations 8

9 Overcrowding & Space Limitations HMS uses every inch of space to meet needs Overcrowded hallways lead to disruptive noise that can interfere with in-session court hearings Unsafe and potential fire hazard 9

10 Insufficient Access to Justice ADA Compliance Issues Space in elevator is not wide enough for individuals with disabilities (crutches, wheelchairs, etc.) Steps located throughout HMS limit wheelchair access in the courtrooms and public restrooms. 10

11 Insufficient Access to Justice Uneven ramp surfaces in front of HMS Steep ramp located behind HMS 11

12 Why Downtown? 12

13 Current Site Selection W 4th St. San Antonio St. CFCH Site W 3rd St. 13

14 Historic Location The Civil & Family Courthouse will be on site originally planned to house the Courthouse dating back to 1839 The first Courthouse occupied the site with a jail from 1855 to 1874 The Heman Marion Sweatt Travis County Courthouse has been in continuous use since June Plan of the City of Austin the Waller Plan N 2015 Proposed Travis County Civil & Family Courthouse 1855 Travis County Courthouse on CFCH site 14

15 Accessibility Civil and Family Courthouse Access to 54 bus routes Nearby commuter rail Adjacent to new bikeway Pedestrian friendly streets 4,300+ spaces of public garage and on-street parking within 3 blocks

16 Density of Law Firms in Travis County Travis County Civil & Family Courthouse Over 1,000 law firms in Travis County Law Offices Per Acre 16

17 Concept 17

18 Courthouse Concept 14 stories 270-feet tall 520,000 gsf 4 level, underground garage 513 parking spaces Secured Judicial parking Oriented to Complement Park Public Views of Park Flexible & Efficient LEED Silver Future Expansion Office Building Space 18

19 CFCH Project Site Drop Off Public Entry Great Streets Profile CFCH Service and Vehicle Entrances off San Antonio Future Expansion Space 19

20 Circulation Zones Public In-Custody Judicial 20

21 CFCH Level - 01 Safe Waiting / Non-Profit Support or Potential Retail Elevated Security Station Covered Portico and Outdoor Area 2-Story Atrium 2-Story Space Increases Usability 21

22 Typical Court Floor Multiple meeting spaces/conference rooms Jury Deliberation Rooms Public Seating in corridor N 22

23 Shading Analysis Auction Oaks not shaded by CFCH - April 10 th September 1 st 6-hrs of continuous sunlight - March 10 th October 12 th Only impact occurs during winter months when trees are dormant 23

24 Program Budget 24

25 Preliminary Program Budget Preliminary Program Budget Program Total (Recommended Bond Amount) Includes - Construction Costs, Owner s FF&E and Misc. $ 291,600,000 Budget predicated on November 2015 Bond Referendum Travis County average home value $250,000 Based on 2014 assessed values 25

26 Regional Courthouse Comparison Pacific $ 875 Mountain $ 360 East North Central $ 353 Mid-Atlantic $ 353 West South Central $ 451 South Atlantic $ 377 Travis County CFCH $ 447 Given location and timing of construction, CFCH passes Test of Reasonableness. 26

27 Project Contact Information newtraviscountycourthouse.com 27