D. CIP
Parks and Recreation Department
CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
June 4, 2007
Backup for the Capital Improvements Budget Discussion
ISSUE:
Should the Quinlan Center Fountain be repaired, replaced with a courtyard/plaza or
replaced with a new or rebuilt fountain?
The Quinlan. Center Fountain is inoperable and is misused by skateboarders and others
who risk serious injury. There are several repair or replacement options. During this
year's goal setting workshop, staff reported that the repair of the fountain could cost in
excess of the $150,000 allocated at mid-year and asked the Council if they wanted staff
to explore other alternatives. The Council directed that other alternatives should be
explored.
Staff worked with The Guzzardo Partnership Landscape Architects, on an alternative
plan. The landscape architect proposed the creation ofan outdoor event space
architecturally compatible with the Quinlan Center (similar colonnade, complimentary
paving and landscape upgrade). The fountain is large; with its remova~ we could seat
250 outdoor, adjacent to the Cupertino Room (which has a full commercial kitchen).
The proposed project would result in a combined indoor, outdoor venue for large sit-
down dinners (for weddings, fundraisers, etc.) and a plaza for other community events.
The plaza option is estimated to cost $240,000 including contingencies, engineering and
administration. This option is recommended by staff as having the greatest utility for the
lowest price.
On May 15, 2007, staff previewed the project with the Council; attached is the cost
estimate. This cost estimate - for a partial plaza project - seems proportionately
consistent with what has been paid for plazas in other parts of the City. In 2003, Cali
Mill Plaza was constructed for a cost of$I.1M; In 2004, the hbrary plaza was
constructed for $1.8M. Each of these projects included a fountain, which contnbuted
significantly to the total expense. The Cali Mill fountain cost approximately $400,000;
the hbrary fountain cost approximately $950,000.
0-1
June 4, 2007
Page 2 of 4
Given the cost offountains, should we continue to pursue an option that includes one, or
redesign the space as a plaza/courtyard?
BACKGROUND:
The Quinlan Center fountain is 17 years old and as mentioned above, inoperable. When
it was in use, it leaked treated water into the ground, grass and trees at a relatively high
rate. In the past, the fountain leaked so badly that it would completely soak the area at
the base ofthe flume and the seating adjacent to it. It was not metered separately from
the Quinlan Center, and the rate of water loss was not quantified.
The fountain operated for only 4 of the 17 years since construction, and was originally
turned off to conserve water. We believe that disuse has contnbuted significantly to its
failure. The waterproof membrane has failed, allowing water to seep into the base in
many different locations. The top ofthe flume has begun to separate from the sides and
the joints created allow water to enter into the base. In 2002, three different fountain
specialists advised the Public Works Department, that the fountain repair would be
difficult. The fountain drains into the storm sewer and current code requires connection
to the sanitary sewer. Other code changes may affect repair/reconstruction of the
fountain.
The fountain was designed to be interactive by 1990 standards, but today's standards for
clean water are more stringent. The flume has steps up to it and there are steps down
into the pool. Requirements for water quality continue to change, and a prudent cost
estimate should have a code compliance contingency.
DISCUSSION:
If the Council directs that the space should include a public fountain, staffwill need to
generate a better project cost estimate. There are two alternatives for establishing a
fountain repair budget: first: call contractors that do the work for an estimate. In the
absence ofa comprehensive evaluation, we'd likely be looking at a time and materials
project. This alternative is not recommended.
The second alternative would be to hire a firm to conduct a feasibility study on repair of
the fountain. The consultant would provide structural, electrical and mechanical review
ofthe existing fountain and estimate the cost ofthe sewer connection, and if acceptable,
prepare plans and specs for bidding. If C01.mcil wants to repair the existing fountain, this
may be a more prudent approach. The true repair cost would be known after a full
analysis was done: this is information that we need.
Cleaning duck feces from the fountain is something we should plan for. We will have
water quality issues with the fountain relative to ducks.
D-2
June 4, 2007
Page 3 of4
Fountains in an arid climate are one ofthe least sustainable oflandscape features.
Energy is consumed to re-'circulate treated water and potable water is used to replace the
quantity lost to evaporation.
Council may direct that a different fountain should be designed for the space; a fountain
similar to the popular hbrary fountain. This would minimize the duck problem, be a
welcome addition to the Quinlan Center and could be designed to take up less space.
The cost of demolishing the old fountain, connecting to the sanitary sewer and repaving
the old pool, would still be a part of the equation. Consequently, this option would be
the most expensive option. We would not pursue this option unless Council was sure
they wanted to make the investment.
Staff considered the option of including a small water feature be added in the Quinlan
Center lobby - inside - to minimize contamination/water quality concerns. However, a
small indoor water feature would still need to connect to the sanitary sewer, and would
result in interior work in the Quinlan Center and likely cause problems inside the
building. Increasing the humidity inside the building could lead to numerous
maintenance issues - the HV AC system was not designed to carry excess moisture.
Staff requests specific direction. We have pursued a fountain free solution for cost and
environmental reasons, and because we believe the space would serve the conununity
well. Please note the attached sketches, pavers on a sand base replace the concrete
originally proposed.
SUMMARY:
There are 5 basic options:
1. Do nothing
2. Demo the fountain & install useful public area
3. Repair & upgrade the fountain to meet codes
4. Design & construct a new similar fountain
5. Design & construct a new public area with a small fountain
Budget Estimate
$0
$240K
$750K
$500K
$350K
We have provided "order ofmagnitude" budget estimates for each option to be used to
establish a Budget. Without detailed design and a list of materials, accurate cost
estimates cannot and should not be generated. The terminology is critical. Council has
been encouraged to believe that a "cost estimate" is fairly accurate and to be adhered to.
A budget estimate, on the other hand, is very rough and is basically a starting point for
the development of a project for which there is little information.
Pursuing a full fountain rebuild/replacement should start with a feasibility report. Ifthis
is the direction Council wants to take,. we will stop work on the plaza project and pursue
this alternative.
There is some urgency to this situation. The fountain presents a hazard.
D-3
June 4, 2007
Page 4 of 4
RECOMMENDATION:
Budget $240,000 within the FY 2007/2008 Capital Budget to remove the inoperable
Quinlan Fountain and replace it wit a patio/event area adjacent to the Cupertino Room
Respectfully submitted:
Approved for submission to City Council:
----J7L~
~
Therese Ambrosi Smith, Director
Parks and Recreation Department
David W. Knapp, City Manager
0-4
Quinlan Center Fountain Replacement The Guzzardo Partnership, Inc. Cupertino,
California
Opinion of Probable Cost Based on Schematic Drawings of 15 March 2007
SCHEMATIC LANDSCAPE PLAN A - 03.15.07
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Item
No. Item Description Qty. Unit Unit Price Extension
1 Decommission of existina fountain 1 LS. $10,000.00 $10,000
2 Land survevina and construction staking 1 LS $3,000.00 $3,000
3 Demolition and Removal of Existina Fountain 1 LS $10,000.00 $10,000
4 Rouah aradina 1 LS $10,000.00 $10,000
5 Fine aradina 1 LS $7,500.00 $7,500
Electrical service, rework of existing (plugs, irrigation
6 control) 1 LS $10,000.00 $10,000
7 Pedestrian Accent Paving 5,166 SF $10.00 $51,660
8 Concrete oathwav (broom finish, color) 380 SF $10.00 $3,800
9 Landscaoe olantina 3,213 SF $2.50 $8.340
10 Trees (24" box) 3 EA $350.00 $1,050
11 Trees (36"box) 1 EA $800.00 $800
12 Lawn (Sod) 2.250 SF $1.25 $3.120
13 Irrigation system (assume system to be design build) 5,463 SF $2.75 $15,330
14 60-dav landscaoe maintenance 1 LS $2,500.00 $2,500
15 Precast Concrete Columns.. 6 EA $2.200.00 $13,200
16 Vine Trellis 1 LS $500.00 $500
17 Landscaoe liQhtino... 12 EA $350.00 $4,200
l._______ Total CO!lslruct.iOJ1 . .~,- ~. ~~-. ... .. . - $155,000
18 Continaencv @ 20% 1 EA $31,000.00 $31,000
Subtotal $186,000
19 Desion/Engineering 1 EA $24,000.00 $24,000
20 Proiect Administration 1 EA $5,000.00 $5,000
21 Site Furniture (tables, chairs, trash receotacles, etc.) 1 EA $25,000.00 $25.000
Project Grand Total $240.000
· LS = Allowance Lump sum only
U Concrte Column from Qulckcrete unit cost dated 03-15-07
U. Lighting from B-K Lighting unit cost dated 03-20-07
0-5
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Landscape ArchitKts . Land Planners
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Courtyard Perspective
04.02.07
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Quinlan Center
Fountain Replacement
Cupertino, CA
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