SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS Operations and Maintenance Schematic Design Review Meeting Minutes Project: GENESEE HILL Meeting No.: 001 Date: August 5, 2013 3:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. Location: Hiawatha Community Center MEETING MINUTES ATTENDEES Name From Initials Tiffani Melake Hiawatha TM Bob Yeasting GSNC BY Kerrie Schurr GSNC KS Dave Allen SPS Parent DA Jacqueline Frazier Teacher JF Liz Dunn Teacher LD Gerrit Kischner Principal GK Liora Minkin Asst Principal LM Anita Hornby SPS AH Eric Becker SPS EB David Pool BLRB DP Tom Bates BLRB TB Lorraine Pai TRA LP Alex Petersen Heery AP Additional Distribution Name Company Initials GHES File Seattle Public Schools 1 of 6
CORRECTIONS TO PREVIOUS MEETING Mtg - Item Discussion / Action Item Responsibility Deadline 001-000 No corrections noted. OLD BUSINESS Mtg - Item Discussion / Action Item Responsibility Deadline 001-002 No old business. NEW BUSINESS This is only For Action Items Mtg - Item Discussion / Action Item Responsibility Deadline 001-003 -TB welcomed the group and gave an overview of the project since the last meeting. He stated that the design team has been busy and is looking for feedback on the revised design. The design team has been working through a significant budget issue (the original design estimate was 4+M over budget). This was driven by multiple factors, including the site challenges (slope, unsuitable soils, etc). He stated that a lot of value engineering has gone into the design to identify potential items that could save cost. TB stated that even with all the VE items, there was not enough savings. The District directed BLRB to reorganize the building layout in a more cost effective manner. The design team has been working on this the last couple months. Additional geotechnical surveys have also been completed and showed that there are very poor soils on the site which has further affected the budget. 001-004 -EB gave an overview of the cost savings list (aka Value Engineering list) and asked if the group had any questions. GK asked where the delta came from. TB stated this was from multiple items: primarily the site, building layout, Mech system, and additional items. 001-005 -TB stated that multiple schemes were considered to lower costs. The current design was chosen to be the most cost effective. The design was also vetted by SPS Operations and Maintenance. 007-006 -DP stated the first approach to lower cost was to decrease the amount of exterior wall, the amount of bridges, and the lower building height to minimize soil work. 001-007 -EB stated that the East side of the site has undocumented fill and is unsuitable to build on. 001-008 -A question was asked if it would be possible to use this area for another propose, such as play. TB stated yes this would be possible, but this is not within the project criteria set by the SDAT. 001-009 -TB stated that the objective was to put the building and the play area on the same level up on the plateau. The primary change is that the lower building has 2 of 6
been integrated into the main upper building. 001-010 -Additional changes include: All play is now on the same elevation The turnaround in the upper parking lot has been removed (a comment was made that this is a major loss of functionality, a further comment was made that there is disagreement in the SDAT that the turnaround provides an important function). TB stated Childcare was ok with the change. The distance between the road and building has become tighter concern that this will create a dark canyon area that is difficult for the neighbors to monitor. EB and DP explained the grade condition along the eastside of the building. The building shifting East has allowed the courtyard to become larger and more functional. 001-011 -A question was asked if the covered play would be open to the community after hours as this would impact the location. EB stated that in his experience they are usually locked. DP stated they are also proposing to fence the complete site and showed the group the proposed fencing locations on the site plan. 001-012 -GK asked if it would be possible to shift the lower parking lot to the Southeast corner as this would make the open space area more usable and the neighbors would likely prefer the open space. Concern was voiced that the teachers would have to walk further and that this may not be approved by the Fire Marshall. DP stated he would have to check with the Fire Marshall for approval. 001-013 -DP stated that the new scheme minimizes the impact to the slope. TB stated that this helps with the permitting and review process with the city. 001-014 -A question was asked if there will be a ramp from the lower parking lot for Teacher to bring up their stuff? TB stated that yes there is one in the design currently (330 + ADA ramp) and that an elevator is also being considered. LP stated that a metal pile structure may be a possibility on the slope, but would be expensive. 001-015 -Concern was voiced that the stairs from 51st to school are too narrow. A suggestion was made to add a landing at the top of the stairs with benches for children to wait for pickup. 001-016 -GK asked if narrowing the streets has been proposed with SDOT on 51 st? Do so would help slow traffic and also create a landing at the top of the stairs. 001-017 -A question was asked if the lower parking lot was smaller than in the prior design and whether this was the minimum. DP, yes this is the minimum assuming the bleachers are removed. 001-018 -DP stated that the fire access drive is no longer needed per the Fire Marshall. 001-019 -GK, asked where the kindergarten play area is located? DP stated there is space on the south play area but they currently do not have a separate area. The group stated they would like the design team to study the possibility of locating them 3 of 6
next to the K classrooms. 001-020 -TB presented the floor plan and reviewed the changes. The primary program move is the flex classroom which is now adjacent to the learning commons 001-021 -A question was asked about how wide the hallways are? DP stated they were able to widen them due to the increased layout efficiency. The main hallway at the commons is now 15 wide. 001-022 -TB the biggest change is the building is now three stories. 001-023 -TB stated that the roof terrace has also been removed. 001-024 -The art/science room no longer as an operable wall, it is now a solid wall with double doors. The SDAT group stated they would like to have the operable wall, GK stated this is important to the flexibility for the space. TB suggested this would be a good alternate bid item. GK stated he is also concerned that the closets interfere with the space. TB stated it is possible to delete the closets and instead have built-in storage around the art/science rooms instead. 001-025 -BY asked if SPS operates any other three story elementary schools? EB stated that yes there are several. 001-026 -DP stated that the computer lab does still have the operable wall. The gym/commons, gym, and stage also have operable walls. 001-027 -A question was asked about having the Art/Science rooms open to the outside. 001-028 -BLRB gave the group printed handouts of both the original and new site plans and building plans. 001-029 -TB opened the floor for questions: 001-030 -Concern was voiced that the trees in the lower parking lot have been removed. DP stated this was a VE item and also the O&M department did not want trees in the parking lot because they are difficult to maintain and they are not allowed to use a leaf blower during schools hours. The SDAT stated that they would prefer to keep trees in this area and suggested choosing a tree that minimizes maintenance. An additional comment was made that the neighbors would prefer tree in the parking lot as well. The group as whole felt strongly that there should be trees onsite including in the lower parking area. DP 001-031 -Concern was voiced that the raingarden in the lower parking lot is not easily accessible for teachers to take kids there as a learning opportunity. 001-032 -A comment was made that the original scheme had each classroom getting quality daylighting with either northern or southern light and in the new design this is no longer true, is there a way to improve this. TB suggested they will study this further. 001-033 -A suggestion was made to angle the admin and self contained classroom to create a better relation between the commons and classroom spaces. DP stated 4 of 6
this was studied, but was not developed further because of space constraints. DP and TB stated they would restudy the suggestion. 001-034 -A question was asked if it would be possible to expose the Mech systems as a learning opportunity. TB stated the system is mainly in the basement, but there may be opportunities elsewhere in the building. 001-035 -A question was asked if the rainwater collection system was still in design. EB stated this was removed to meet budget. 001-036 -A question was asked if the District takes the site into account for the budget of the building. EB stated that per the District the budget is fixed. 001-037 -A question was asked if it is possible to angle the entire admin and classroom wing. 001-038 -GK asked if the model shows the maximum amount of glazing? DP measured the model and stated the model has the classroom windows drawn at 15 instead of the proposed 18 in length and is 7 high. 001-039 -TB stated the brick has been changed to concrete masonry units (CMU) with an integral color. He stated these can look very similar to brick both in color and in size/scale. 001-040 -A question was asked to how roof access will be secured. This is currently an issue at the existing school. 001-041 -The group voiced concern over the monolithic nature and lack of windows on the façade on 51 st. A suggestion was made that this could be a good location for a mural. 001-042 -The group stated concern over the scale of the three story portion of the building in relation to the neighborhood. They stated that the current design accentuates the height instead of the minimizing it. Additionally, concern was voiced over vertical parapet walls accentuating the height and looking dated quickly. The group preferred the roof design in the prior concept. 001-043 -The group stated concern that building looks very institutional and is not as well integrated with the site as it was in the prior design. TB stated they would look at options to bring back some of the design elements from the prior design in an effort to decrease the scale of the building and make it the aesthetics more similar to the prior concept. 001-044 -TB stated that the design team is currently considering either a ramp or an elevator to provide ADA access to the lower lot. The group stated they would prefer to have all ADA parking in the upper lot. LP stated that she spoke with the building permit official for the project concerning the requirement to provide ADA accessibility from the lower lot, and that he stated that if the design team can make a case why they parking cannot be located on the upper level then it may be possible to get a departure. GK stated at the current school they have 4 ADA spots and they are used. 5 of 6
001-045 -GK suggested making a few of the spaces in the upper lot 15 minute drop off only spots for teachers to use as an unloading area. 001-046 -A suggestion was made to have short term street parking for loading / drop off on Dakota? The design team stated this area is currently planned for special needs buses to queue. 001-047 -A suggestion was made to have stairs from Dakota to the parking lot (across from entry). 001-048 -A comment made that the new scheme does feel more like one school compared to the prior scheme with the bridges. 001-049 -A question was asked if it is possible to make the entry way larger. Or increase the outside covered area? As this would encourage parents and students to congregate and interact. 001-050 -A comment was made that the hallways look tight, is there any way to widen? Also, are lockers proposed in the hallways? No lockers. The hallways at the existing school are currently 11 same as the new design. 001-051 -TB asked is group is ok with the new design and moving forward. Yes, the group approved the design and to proceed. 001-052 -EB stated that another estimate will be completed and the Value Engineering process will also happen again. He stated this is part of the requirements to receive state funding assistance. He further said that it is also possible to include some items as bid alternates that way they can be added back in if the construction bids come in under budget. GK asked if the SDAT will help make the alternates priority list. TB stated yes. 001-053 -A question was asked about the option of changing to a synthetic field instead of grass. EB stated the District does not like to use unless in a high use environment (some middle schools and high schools have, not common at elementary schools). 001-054 -TB stated that the first landmarks meeting is on Wednesday 8/7/13 at 3:30PM Next meeting: TBD ATTACHMENTS / RELATED DOCUMENTS No. Item Dated Action Required 1. END OF MINUTES: The above summarizes the Seattle Public School s interpretation of the items discussed and decisions reached during this meeting. Additions or corrections above must be submitted in writing to the author within three days of receipt; otherwise the minutes will stand as written. 6 of 6