If the bond measure is approved, what would be the scope of the AHT renovation?
AHT would be renovated to meet all current accessibility and fire/life safety code requirements, including: accessible seating at every level in the theater along with companion seating; center aisles for safe egress; assistive listening devices; level paths of travel throughout the theater; a lift or other means of access to the stage; and ventilation and sprinkler systems.
In addition, the AHT roof and rooftop heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVAC) would be replaced. The roof outriggers are rotten. The HVAC components and related ductwork are in poor condition and not functioning properly. Regardless of whether the bond measure passes, the District needs to address the roof and HVAC issues, so systems work properly and AHT interior finishes are protected from damage.
Also, if the bond measure is approved, ADA accessibility would be achieved through an elevator in a new structure immediately adjacent to the existing building. This new structure allows for expansion to provide a new classroom. As noted above, the auditorium serves as a classroom for five of the seven periods of the school day. This results in significant wear and tear on the theater and ongoing maintenance costs for the District. Providing a new classroom would extend the useful life of the theater and better meet the needs of the District’s Performing Arts Program.
What are the major components of the estimated construction costs?
QKA provided a construction cost estimate based on its schematic design in March 2013. QKA summarized four areas of work as follows:
- “Existing Building-Mandatory,” which includes ADA accessibility upgrades and fire/life safety code compliance, at approximately $1.46 million;
- “Existing Building-Modernization,” which includes improving the auditorium and basement, fixing the roof and HVAC, and renovating electrical and plumbing service, at approximately $3.5 million;
- “Theatrical Design,” which includes theater-grade lighting, AV systems, draperies and other equipment, at approximately $1.7 million; and
- “Addition-Classroom and Green Room,” which includes the new adjacent building, drama classroom, and mechanical and electrical work, at approximately $2.76 million.
The District’s budget includes these costs, with one year of price escalation, as approximately $10.1 million.
Note that many work elements are interdependent. For example, the new addition houses the elevator that provides ADA accessibility. Much of the work cannot be performed without triggering a requirement to make the entire theater accessible under the ADA.
What happens if the voters do not approve the June 2014 bond measure?
The Board would use the $500,000 in private donations to make some needed repairs to the roof and HVAC systems, and replace the seating, so AHT can remain useable for some additional time, but the accessibility issues would remain unchanged. Even with these improvements, the theater infrastructure, accessibility, and fire/life safety concerns would remain. The District will need to address these issues at some point in the near future, or risk losing use of AHT. According to Vila Construction, cost escalation patterns project a 5%-7% per year increase in construction costs, which will make a renovation project more expensive in the future.
Source: http://www.piedmont.k12.ca.us/news/alan-harvey-theater
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