If initial response is any indication, architects are eager to help design a new recreation center in Emporia.
In the days following a December Gazette article about the Emporia Recreation Commission’s plan to hire an architect, 15 firms contacted Tom McEvoy, ERC director.
Those firms have until 3 p.m. Friday to send the ERC a request for qualifications. A committee will look at those RFQ’s and narrow the field to three firms. Those three will make presentations to the commission in the spring, McEvoy said.
“At that time they can share ideas, potential designs and cost estimates with the commission,” McEvoy said.
The commission held retreats in November discussing long-term recreation needs in Emporia. That led to the Dec. 21 vote to move forward with hiring an architect.
The architect will be asked to provide design concept on up to four things:
Renovating and/or expanding the existing Lee Beran Recreation Center
Building a new recreation center
Renovating existing youth ball fields
Building a new baseball/softball complex
The commission has not committed to any of those four items but are looking for several ideas so they can pick the best one. The ERC starts receiving additional property tax money this year, which has sparked months of debate on how to repair, consolidate, remove or build recreation facilities.
McEvoy said because of the levels of calls around Christmas he decided an RFQ process would be better than trying to interview each firm.
“It was non-stop calls for awhile,” he said. “With the way the economy is, firms may be looking for work. That could work out good for us. We may be in position to get things down. With bond rates dropping, this could be a good time to do projects.”
The committee that will examine the RFQs is McEvoy, Assistant Director Connie Smith, Program Supervisor Amanda Gutierrez, Wellness Supervisor Barb Rourk, Commission Treasurer Robert Scheib, City and ERC Commissioner Kevin Nelson, Assistant City Manager Mark McAnarney, and Joel Phillips, Emporia resident.
McEvoy said it will take a month or so to narrow down the architect firms. He said they could make presentations to the commission at the April or May board meetings.
JustWondering (anonymous) says...
I am not surprised that there is a lot of interest if Emporia is paying architects 26% of the project cost like they did on the "Welcome rocks".
January 26, 2011 at 9:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bobhornet (anonymous) says...
Don't pick Dave Emig--I've never seen worse work than his "design" for Emporia's "Rocks"!
January 26, 2011 at 10:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
At the present time, I believe that this is another expenditure that should be " CANCELED ", as I do not believe that it is needed at this time !!! JOBS, JOBS, JOBS should be the top priority !!!
January 26, 2011 at 11:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
krazykansan (anonymous) says...
I am beginning to think we have all been scammed by the government, the people in power, and the news media.
In reality there is really plenty of work, no one is being laid off, and all the coffers are just full of money to spend on everything.
You would think!
It is all coming to a head where the depression of the 30's will look like prosperity. Back then folks did not have far to fall, but now days it is a long ways down and it will hurt something awful.
January 27, 2011 at 12:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )