Memorandum                       

City of Lawrence                         

Parks and Recreation Department

TO:	Cynthia Boecker, Assistant City Manager
FROM:	Mark Hecker, Park Superintendent
CC:	Ernie Shaw, Interim  Director Parks & Recreation Alan Landis , Purchasing
Date:	9-08-08
RE:	Hobbs Park Restroom

The Parks & Recreation Department would like to request Commission approval to purchase a $47,000 pre-cast concrete restroom facility for Hobbs Park (see attachment).  

The replacement of the restroom at Hobbs Park has been on the department’s capital project list for a number of years. The existing metal structure is over 25 years old and has some significant structural issues. We would like to replace this facility with a pre-cast concrete restroom facility that is manufactured by CXT Concrete Building. These facilities are constructed at the manufacturer’s site, delivered completely assembled and installed with a crane. The only on-site construction is the connection of the utilities.

Over the past three-four years, we have done a great deal of research on park restrooms. We have found these pre-cast concrete structures to be the most cost effective means of providing a vandal resistant park restroom. There are a number of companies that provide concrete structures, but we feel that CXT provides the best-looking facility for the price.

On the last three park restroom replacements (Clinton Park and 2 at the Outlet Park), we have specified CXT units to be installed by the general contractors bidding the project. We feel the most cost-effective way of handling the Hobbs project is for City staff to act as the general contractor and purchase the unit directly from the manufacturer. Since we are purchasing from the manufacturer, there is no other sources that can provide the restroom at a better price. Also by purchasing restrooms from the same source year to year, we will save money in ordering and stocking repair parts for these facilities. 

As part of the restroom replacement project at Hobbs, we will also be installing new underground electrical service to the shelter, basketball court and restroom ($10,500) and upgrading sewer and water lines in the park ($5,400)

Action requested 

Approve the purchase of a CXT restroom facility for Hobbs Park in the amount of $47,000. The price for this facility was determined by using bid received as part of a GSA cooperative purchasing agreement. Funding for all three components of this project will come from the Parks and Recreation department maintenance account funded by the City’s share of County sales tax receipts.