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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: John P. Curley - Chief Development Services Officer
DATE: 11 October 2019
SUBJECT:
Requesting City Council to ratify an emergency demolition contract with Alpine Demolition Services LLC. for Demolition of the Masonic Temple at 104 S. Lincoln Av 60505 (15-22-387-001) in Ward #2
PURPOSE:
As a result of the fire on October 07th at the Masonic Temple - 104 S. Lincoln Av. Aurora IL 60505 the building was found to be in imminent danger of subsequent collapse and was a hazard to the neighborhood, adjacent structures and our rights of way on Benton St., Lincoln Av. and an alleyway. The emergency demolition contract ensured the fastest response Aurora could make to ensure the safety of the Neighborhood and our Rights of Way.
The overall contract amount with Alpine Demolition Services LLC is $780,000 and 47 days.
BACKGROUND:
Staff attempting to strike a balance between the full use of our Emergency contracting provisions and a competitive bid process used the following expedited process to deploy a contractor within 3 days of last fire-fighting activities on site.
1. Tuesday 8th AM: --Staff immediately reached out to 4 demolition contractors which we knew had experience with this type of emergency to gauge their interest. We informed all 4 that we intended to author an emergency contract within 48 hours and encouraged them to start site visits and estimating. One additional contractor reached out to us on Wed. making 5.
2. Wednesday 8th AM: Staff issues bid specifications to the 5 contractors with a bidding deadline of 4PM.
3. Wednesday 8th 4PM: Staff receives 4 bids.
4. Thursday 9th AM: Staff issues clarifying questions to contractors and informs Alpine of the Award in PM
To preserve historical elements we could access safely, bid specifications asked for an additional proposed cost for salvage of the segments of the 4 columns on the west façade, and the cornerstone with its presumed time capsule. We accepted the proposed $30,000 for this work. This number is included in the overall contract amount of $780,000.
DISCUSSION:
Risk Management funding will be used for this unplanned emergency safety project.
The selection was not based entirely upon cost as you will see in the bid tabulation.
Alpine Demolition Services LLC. was selected for the following reasons:
a. Immediate deployment to the site morning of October 11th versus several days later with other contractors.
b. Contractor will perform hand work from smaller equipment to make the structure safe more quickly.
c. Reduction in the on-site demolition timeline by 9 proposed days - overall time line reduction of 11-12 days including deployment.
d. Selecting Alpine eliminates the need to acquire and demolish the Historic District home to the east.
e. Since there is no need to purchase the property, no additional delays will be incurred due to purchase of the adjacent property.
f. No loss of property taxes from city demolition of this Historic District home in the future.
g. Alpine is a known entity to Aurora staff having demolished the building immediately south of City Hall with no complications.
Additionally, Alpine having provided bids for demolition of this structure in 2015 proved to be the most knowledgeable about the super-structure of the building. As they had been able to enter in 2015 and photograph many areas within the building, they additionally possess the most knowledge of the contractors on abatement hazards within the building.
Due to this past experience with this specific building, contracting with Alpine represents the most competitive bid with the fastest response time and the special knowledge of this site to ensure the highest level of public safety for the neighborhood.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Approving the Emergency contract with Alpine provides the quickest response to the site to ensure public safety at a competitive cost. It additionally opens our streets and frees our emergency personnel from securing the scene as early as possible.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I request that City Council ratify the emergency contract with Alpine Demolition Services LLC.
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
ORDINANCE NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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An Ordinance to ratify an emergency demolition contract with Alpine Demolition Services LLC. for Demolition of the Masonic Temple at 104 S. Lincoln Av 60505.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, Emergency Contracting provisions were required to address imminent public safety issues after the fire at the Masonic Temple, and
WHEREAS, the bid from Alpine Demolition Services for $780,000 and 47 days represented the most competitive bid with the fastest response time and the special knowledge of this site to ensure the highest level of public safety for the neighborhood.)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: Hereby, ratifies the emergency demolition contract with Alpine Demolition Services LLC for the demolition of the Masonic Temple at 104 S. Lincoln Av. 60505 in the Amount of $780,000.