Here’s some need-to-know information for the week:

City to accelerate Western City Campus schedule, removing the project from planned Public-Private Partnership request for qualifications

As discussed during the Jan. 11, 2024, update to City Council on the Facilities Plan Implementation, staff is exploring the opportunities of a Public-Private Partnership (P3) to better support funding to operate and maintain our buildings well.

At the council meeting, city staff shared that the construction of the Western City Campus (WCC) was being analyzed along parallel paths for financing: self-financed by the city, or as one of the primary projects identified for P3 consideration. Due to a recent opportunity to significantly accelerate the overall schedule through improved coordination of flood improvements and building permits, the project is being removed from the initial package. This will allow the city to save substantial money along with many other benefits. The accelerated WCC schedule is not compatible with the development schedule and process considered for the P3. As a result, the WCC will advance on a more traditional path for funding and construction.

Per council’s direction, staff has conducted market soundings with the private industry to gauge interest and better inform a formal procurement process and future decision making. The city still intends to distribute a P3 request for qualifications (RFQ) that includes the East Boulder Community Center and Fire Stations 2 and 4, as previously envisioned.

It is anticipated that the RFQ will be released late in the second quarter of 2024. Staff will assess proposals through the RFQ and request for proposal (RFP) phases and develop a recommendation to council about whether to proceed with a partnership. The recommendation will be supported by detailed and specific building, financial, legal and program analysis that again compares the P3 with the city self-performing the work. This is anticipated by the end of this year.

If you have any questions, please contact Facilities Deputy Director Michele Crane at cranem@bouldercolorado.gov.

Regards,

Nuria

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