Council wants to compare prices

CITY HALL — The price tag for a new city Community Services Building may go to a consultant to compare the project's costs with those of similar buildings in other cities before the project can move forward.

The council voted 3-2 on Nov. 21 in favor of doing the assessment, with Mayor Todd Campbell and Councilman Jef Vander Borght opposed, arguing that cost comparisons had already been considered during the project.

A new Community Services Building would replace the Municipal Services Building, formerly located behind City Hall. The old Community Services Building was demolished after suffering irreparable structural damage during the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

The projected price tag of the now 13-year-old project has increased exponentially as time has passed, as expenses for materials and construction continue to rise while the project has been mired in delays.

When the design phase of the project went before the council in November 2004, the projected cost was $28 million, Public Works Director Bonnie Teaford said.

Today, secured work bids with contractors and subcontractors put the total at $38 million, which includes design work and incidental expenses such as trailer rental, she said.

"This is what the market is telling us it's going to cost to build this building," she said.

The new, three-story, 72,000-square foot Community Services Building would house the city's Community Development, Public Works, Parks, Recreation and Community Services and Public Information Departments.

Though the council shared a frustration at the high cost of the project, due in part to the fact that the project was delayed so long, the proposed structure is the best building for what is a realistic cost, said Vander Borght, who served on the Community Service Building committee.

"From my perspective, there isn't a magic bullet or a silver bullet or an ability to go back, redesign or build a cheaper building and save the taxpayers money," he said.

"We are building the most cost-effective building possible under the current circumstances of today's costs and what we're trying to build."

Further delay could jeopardize the status of bids from contractors and subcontractors, which expire late in December.

But city staffers will be mindful of impending deadlines and will return to the council if an assessment is not feasible, City Manager Mary Alvord said.

QUESTION

Do you agree with the City Council's decision to seek cost comparisons for a new Community Services Building? E-mail your responses to burbankleader @latimes.com; mail them to the Burbank Leader, 111 W. Wilson Ave., Glendale, CA, 91203. Please