South Berwick architect Ken Weston’s document seeking new cost figures for a renovated town hall is being applauded by the town manager and town councilors.
Town Manager Tim Pellerin called the request for proposal crafted by Weston “the best RFP I have ever seen,” and Councilor John James said, “This is fantastic and exactly what I was looking for.”
The plan, presented to the Town Council last week, suggests a clear timeline for getting detailed proposals for design services for a town hall renovation and for the council to choose a firm to conduct the study.
In October, after an Initial report from Port City Architects in Portland, the council decided to do more research on the cost of renovating town hall versus a new building. Citizens who spoke at a public hearing in July had strongly favored trying to keep the existing town hall.
Weston noted in his document that the Port City study commissioned by the town had priced a 20,000-square-foot renovation when the town requires only 11,600 square feet for its offices.
Further, that report gave an all-inclusive cost per square foot, while Weston suggested interested firms present a “detailed cost for proposed design, broken down by discipline and trade” so it is clear where the money is being spent and where savings can be realized.
It also asks for firms to “evaluate new construction costs so an apples to apples comparison can be made”between renovating the needed space in the existing town hall or building new at another site.
All five town councilors and as well as Pellerin and Assistant Town Manager Jennifer Janelle expressed gratitude to both Weston and Mike Lassel, a retired South Berwick architect who also contributed to the document.
The full document, starting on page 106, can be viewed here.
