Phase 3: Use Determination Process for Buck, Carlin Springs Properties
The County completed the acquisition of the Buck Property on November 20, 2017. The next step in the process is initiating Phase 3 of the Use Determination Process, which will analyze the use considerations for the Buck Property, developed by the Joint Facilities Advisory Commission (JFAC). The study is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2018 and is estimated to take 9-12 months to complete.
At their joint work session on June 27, 2017, the County Board and School Board directed staff and the Joint Facilities Advisory Commission (JFAC) to further study three scenarios: one at the Buck site and two at the Carlin Springs site.
This further study, Phase 3 of the Use Determination Process as defined in the Community Facilities Study, requires more detailed analyses of the use considerations developed by JFAC. These use considerations include but are not limited to:
- Transportation analysis (traffic impact analysis, pedestrian circulation, access to public transportation options, ingress and egress, parking, etc.)
- Environmental and historic/cultural analysis (natural resources, historic or cultural resources, noise, light, sustainability elements, etc.)
- Infrastructure review of capacities and access (water/sewer, storm sewer, electricity, telecommunications, gas, etc.)
- Cost analysis (site preparation, facility (new, addition or rehab), operating and maintenance costs, existing tenancies, etc.)
Phase 3 is a staff-driven phase, coordinated between County and APS staff, and various consultants, and is anticipated to take nine – 12 months for completion. Commencement of Phase 3 is dependent on two variables: funding and staffing. As stated during the work session, staff estimates that the cost associated with analyzing all three scenarios is close to $1.0 million ($500, 000 for the first scenario and $250,000 for each subsequent scenario). Funding will be identified no earlier than late fall. Staffing resources, which are not currently in any work plan, will require re-prioritization of other significant County and APS projects. Similar to the funding, this prioritization will occur no earlier than late fall.
With this timing in mind, the County Board will not take action on any permanent use of either the Buck or Carlin Springs site for many months, if not a year (plus). However, temporary storage needs for systems furniture and facilities maintenance parts will be met in the near term using vacant office building space on the Buck site. Staff will continue to provide updates to JFAC and other commissions as appropriate. Further, staff will provide updates to the JFAC web page and push the information to all interested residents.
Thank you for your continued interest in the work by JFAC.