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BACKGROUND In 1999, the City Council completed the Master Plan for the Downtown Parks and Trails System that anticipated the conversion of the existing Fire Station #1/Headquarters to a multi-use arts facility. This Master Plan was incorporated by reference in the Downtown Specific Plan that was adopted in 2002. The conversion of this facility was made possible by the fact that the City had begun design of a new Fire Station #1/Headquarters on Nevada Street and a new Fire Station # 4 on the Bernal Property. As part of its priority setting process, the City Council identified the fire station conversion as one of five significant priority capital projects. The Firehouse Arts Center (Firehouse) will create a venue for intimate programs in a small, flexible studio theater that will complement the current offerings at the Amador Theater. This venue is particularly advantageous for children's theater. The facility will also include two classrooms and an art gallery for instruction and exhibitions, respectively. The Firehouse is designed as a unique project that encompasses the arts, the environment, the community as well as its heritage. The refurbished facility will remove additions built in the 1960's and 1970's to reveal the historical structure and include improvements as follows: 1. Theater with flexible seating for 240 2. Art Gallery of approximately 2,000 square feet 3. 2 Arts Classrooms 4. Grand Lobby of approximately 1,350 sq. ft. 5. Offices in the upstairs area 6. Outside reception area and exterior landscaping In addition to the above, the new construction portion of the project is designed to include installation of solar panels, thus reinforcing the Council's commitment to ensuring that municipal facilities contribute to environmental sustainability and complying with the standards outlined in the City's Green Building Ordinance. DISCUSSION In 2004, the City selected the firm of ELS Architecture and Urban Design to develop plans to transform the vacant fire station to an arts center. After review by a community task force, the City Council approved the development, design, and funding for the Firehouse Arts Center in 2006. Since that time, ELS has finalized the construction drawings and the construction bid documents were issued on April 4, 2008. On May 15, 2008, the City received five bids for the project, ranging from $8,055,318 to $9,951,398. The low bid was received from W. A. Thomas Company, Inc. Based upon reference checks and work previously performed for the City, staff has determined that W.A. Thomas Company Inc. is the lowest qualified bidder. Staff also recommends that the option of installing solar panels at an additional cost of $345,000 be approved for a total not-to-exceed amount of $8,400,318. W. A. Thomas Company Inc. is based out of Martinez, CA and constructed the Pleasanton Library and the City's Senior Center. Geotechnical and special inspection services are required for this project. Staff solicited bids from construction inspection firms with qualified individuals to provide these Page 2 of 3