Joint Committee Committee on Capital Development (01/16/2015)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

COMMITTEE ON CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

Date:	01/16/2015	ATTENDANCE

Time:	07:35 AM to 08:43 AM	Becker K.	E
		Kefalas	*
Place:	HCR 0112	Sonnenberg	*
		Szabo	*
This Meeting was called to order by		Baumgardner	X
	Representative Vigil	Vigil	X

This Report was prepared by
	Kori Donaldson
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
Capitol Complex Master Plan Presentation		Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only

07:35 AM -- Capitol Complex Master Plan Presentation

The meeting was called to order. The Joint Budget Committee members were in attendance. Ms. Kara Veitch, Interim Executive Director, Department of Personnel and Administration (DPA), introduced a team of people in attendance to present the recently completed Capitol Complex Master Plan:

Mr. Larry Friedberg, State Architect, Office of the State Architect, DPA
Ms. Carol Lewis, Manager of State Buildings Programs, Office of the State Architect, DPA
Mr. Josh Gould, CEO, RNL Design
Mr. Yogesh Saoji, Senior Associate, Wallace Roberts Todd

Ms. Lewis described the selection process for the third-party consultants involved in the development of the master plan. Mr. Gould previewed the day's agenda and discussed the scope of the project. He explained that a November 2012 audit solicited by the Office of the State Auditor identified a lack of planning for future growth/space needs for state agencies. Mr. Gould said major goals of the master plan project were to identify opportunities to improve the efficient utilization of resources, increase the energy efficiency of facilities, identify owned versus leased space, and to assess the character of the complex. He next provided an overview of the buildings included in the Capitol Complex and addressed a question from the committee about whether a certain Department of Agriculture facility is included in the complex. Mr. Gould next discussed leased space near the Capitol Complex. He said there is roughly 700,000 square feet of leased space adjacent to the Capitol Complex. Mr. Gould explained various lease, buy, and build scenarios considered during the development of the master plan. He said the conclusion of this analysis is that the master plan recommends the construction of a new facility at the corner of Lincoln and Colfax as the best option for the future of the Capitol Complex.

07:48 AM

Mr. Gould next explained why owning a new facility is preferable to leasing space near the Capitol Complex for state agencies. He said a new building would allow the state to collocate agency staff from various departments who are currently located at multiple sites. He also said that the master plan recommends that the state maintain leased space for agencies that are anticipated to grow faster or experience significant population changes in the next decade. Mr. Gould explained that one of the goals of the master plan is to increase space use efficiency through renovations of existing buildings with a goal of providing 220 square feet of work space per employee. Mr. Gould next discussed the need to renovate owned building within the Capitol Complex. The greatest need for renovation exists in the Centennial and Annex Buildings. Mr. Friedberg commented on the existing condition of various buildings within the complex, including the Executive Residence and the Capitol. Mr. Friedberg addressed a question about how the Capitol Complex is defined. Discussion ensued on this topic. Ms. Lewis listed departments and agencies that are not included in the complex.

08:01 AM

Mr. Gould continued his presentation with recommendations related to urban design. One of the recommendations of the master plan is to create a pedestrian mall on Sherman Street between 12th and 16th Avenues. Another key recommendation is to include signage and wayfinding throughout the downtown Capitol Complex. Mr. Gould described a recommendation to create a parking structure under the west lawn. He addressed a question from the committee regarding xeriscaping. Mr. Saoji continued the presentation with a discussion of planning practices and policies related to owned versus leased space in other states. In response to a question, Mr. Friedberg listed other state Capitols designed by Elijah Meyers, the architect of the Colorado State Capitol. Mr. Saoji discussed the finding from ten other states. He discussed, in detail, best practices in Minnesota, Utah, and Washington.

08:26 AM

Mr. Saoji said the master plan recommends a dedicated funding source for controlled maintenance. Mr. Gould concluded the presentation with a discussion of the priority order of the recommendations and the associated costs of each. Discussion turned to a parking lot located east of the Capitol that the state used to own. Mr. Gould outlined some possible funding options and showed the various documents published as part of the Capitol Complex Master Plan. Discussion ensued on how the findings in the master plan can be adopted and funded. Senator Lambert expressed concern that the master plan does not address statewide needs. Discussion ensued on this topic.

08:43 AM

The meeting adjourned.