Windermere reviews updated Town Hall renovation plan

The Windermere Town Council met to discuss proposed updates made to the Town Hall renovation plan at a virtual workshop Wednesday, July 17.

Public Works Director Tonya Elliott-Moore said at the Town Council workshop Feb. 12, staff received feedback to revise the plan.

“Specifically, we were asked to remove the gazebo from the porch plans and retain the wrap-around porch, creating a space for the existing AC equipment,” she said. “Following these directives, our team has been working diligently to update the plans and estimate the costs associated with these changes.”

Town Consultant John Fitzgibbon presented the revised plan, for which staff collaborated with the town’s architect and a professional estimator.

The updated plan now includes cost estimates for the project, which includes contingencies for potential additional items, such as upgrading or relocating the septic tank. The estimates also factor in cost escalation, as the project will be carried out in phases. 

“Our phased approach is designed to ensure the Town Square area remains available for the 2025 Centennial Celebration, while allowing the town manager to balance the annual budget alongside other competing projects,” Elliott-Moore said. “We believe our proposal effectively addresses these considerations.”

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UPDATED BREAKDOWN

Fitzgibbon said the only difference in the changes is “the square-off of the porch on the north side and, in addition to that, a little cut out where the electrical panels are and the AC units are to avoid any future conflict or any additional costs associated with the relocation of that.” 

“The plan itself is pretty self-sufficient,” he said. “As you recall, we did add the bathrooms on the exterior in the upper southwest corner, adjustments of the handicap ramp on the southwest corner as well, moving it over in closer proximity to the existing handicapped parking, and we had some additional modifications to the restroom facilities and storage area, and then some minor modifications to the walls and accessibility to the stage, as well as the addition of a pantry, and the relocation of the front door to the side.”

Fitzgibbon said in talking with the estimator and looking at the constructibility of the project, they are potentially looking at doing more of a sloped, flat roof versus the original planned gabled roof.

“It’s kind of a hybrid version of not doing the pitched roof and having more of a flat roof design, consistent with what we currently have,” he said. “In addition to that, it will save some dollars.”

Staff split the phasing recommendations for the renovations into three major parts: the new bathroom building (phase one); exterior renovations (phase two); and the north porch addition and the interior renovations (phase three).

Phase one is estimated at $418,240, which includes $30,000 for septic and contingency, and is planned for Fiscal Year 2024-25. 

Phase two is estimated at $556,850 in total, which includes the west porch/siding remediation, $81,360; repainting of the building, $44,950; the south sloped exterior roof, $106,350; the west sloped exterior roof, $191,340; and the main building reroof, $132,850. These updates are planned for Fiscal Year 2025-26.

Phase three is estimated at $585,660 in total, which includes the existing bathroom renovations, $187,700; the north porch addition, $349,120; the miscellaneous interior Town Hall renovations and pantry renovation, $18,600; and the stage access/lift/exterior door, $30,240. These updates are planned for Fiscal Year 2026-27.

A 4% increase would need to be added for escalation per year. 

WANTS VS. NEEDS

Council members appeared to be on the same page for the renovations, with emphasis on the bathroom and kitchen upgrades taking top priority. 

Mayor Jim O’Brien asked if the estimates included the kitchen update and remodel in addition to the pantry renovation.

Fitzgibbon said the estimates include some remodel work but not any new kitchen equipment. 

Council Members Mandy David and Brandi Haines also inquired about the kitchen and obtaining new equipment, as well as upgrading the counters, cabinets and tables. 

“Yes, we will be able to do the kitchen equipment,” Elliott-Moore said. “We do have a contingency. We do have come cost-saving options. So, with that, we’ll be able to work in that kitchen equipment.”

Haines also asked about foundation repairs and fire suppression.

Fitzgibbon said staff has completed a study and there is some minor foundation work needed but generally the foundation is in good shape. He said fire protection is something that can be done, but it is a fairly expensive proposition.

Haines then asked why the town did not have public input workshops prior to the Town Council workshop. 

“The reason, and I’m the one that decided on the order for this to go first instead of your temporary restroom facility is, because if you make a decision to spend a lot of money on a temporary restroom facility before you know how much it’s going to cost to put the permanent one in, you would be at a disadvantage in making that decision,” Elliott-Moore said. “Town Council may decide to move forward with the permanent restroom facility instead, and if you didn’t know how much that was going to cost and I brought temporary restroom facility costs to you, then you would not have the full picture to make that decision. … At the Feb. 12 meeting, we told council we would readdress the plans and do them this way and come back with a cost estimate for Town Council, and then we can go back out to the public.”

Haines also asked about the additional bathrooms being added to Town Hall.

“I feel like we’re pitching ourselves into this layout and design trying to fit a bathroom that makes sense for all of the things we need at Town Hall into a 374-foot square, and we’re kind of limiting the flexibility that we would have as opposed to if it was in another location like near the library,” she said. “Some of the things about it that I see are a bit of an issue — being a parent with a small child and having friends with multiple kids — is that this bathroom is only accessed outside, it’s not going to be something that we can access from Town Hall. So, I feel like it would be really good if there was a unisex bathroom or a family bathroom; whatever you want to call it. … I’ve had conversations with people in town and think that it would be a good idea if we had something that, if we do have a stand-alone bathroom, that would mimic Town Hall or the library to fit in with the architectural style.”

Council members opted unanimously, with Council Member Andy Williams absent, to move forward with the bathroom portion of the plan as the timeline with the highest priorities for the rest of the renovations is solidified. 

The project next will be discussed at a public input meeting at a date to be determined.