Quick notes from last night's presentation and City Commission meeting re Casino Building and Beach

These are from notes taken during the meeting. More discussion and analysis later.

• Structural report included more invasive process to determine building condition. Found that the building needs work, but not in risk of failure.
  
• Straticon felt that building official was correct in making the call to condemn the building based on other reports as it was a public building. Spalling concrete could fall and cause injury.
• Design would entail extending retail spaces 12 ft. to the east and consume area taken up by walkway/overhang.
• New colonnade would be built east in a style similar to that of the original building.
• Center pass-through would provide access to western area and new patio.
• Ballroom would be expanded to twice the current size. Second floor north of center of building does not exist now.
• New gable roof would be added where flat roof exists now. Allows for greater ceiling height than present.
• Open air patio 360 degrees around second floor.
  
• Straticon thought that historic designation was possible. (I am not sure about that as this is more of a reconstruction than a restoration - my opinion)
• LEED certification possible but vague on level that could be achieved. Sounded like certification would be due to location more than other factors or building techniques.
• Estimate for building only would be just short of $10 million and would include locker room building.
• Site work not included.
  
• Total of 50,000 sq. ft (waiting for confirmation of this figure).
• Building would be gutted. All new mechanical, electrical and plumbing.
• Construction would be phased. Tenants moved around during construction.
• Predicted 12 to 14 month construction period (wildly optimistic in my opinion)
• Commissioner Jennings brought up a local hiring requirement (labor center?)
• Building life estimated at 20 years before additional work needed. On-going maintenance essential.
• Parking structure not addressed.
• Design/build approach to construction.

Please post comment for corrections if you attended meeting and I am in error re any of the above.

Click title for link to audio of meeting.