FLCC Projects Committee Wants Questions on Proposed Geneva Extension Center:We Want Answers

Thursday, February 25, the Finger Lakes Community College Projects Committee, which is chaired by County Supervisor Richard Calabrese (R-Gorham) and includes Geneva City Supervisor Rocky LaRocca, and additional Supervisors and members of the FLCC staff and Board of Trustees, met to discuss public presentations regarding the proposed Geneva Extension Center.

To kick off the meeting, JMZ Architects and Planners provided a viewing of their PowerPoint presentation which explores various options for a new extension center. The County currently leases classroom space in the building which formerly housed the Geneva Middle School, at the corner of Milton and Pulteney Streets in the City of Geneva. Purchasing and renovating that building was one of three options considered initially for the new center.

At Thursday's meeting, JMZ stated unequivocally that the main structure at that site-- the 1926 structure originally built to house Geneva High-- is structurally sound. The 1965 natatorium and gymnasium additions have not fared as well. They, apparently, were built without expansion joints and as a result of a lack of maintenance, have deteriorated. Under every option proposed, that wing (facing Pulteney and William Streets) is recommended for demolition.

Reuse of the main structure was the least costly of the three initial options presented. The estimated cost of renovation-- $18 million-- did exceed the $12 million budget, but would make available 90,000 square feet of renovated space. FLCC currently utilizes 80,000 square feet within the building, but a revised space assessment had come in at 58,000 square feet. Full renovation would leave 32,000 square feet open for use by potential co-tenants. But the Projects Committee Chairman ruled that Thursday's meeting was not the time or place to examine issues of co-tenancy, layout and contracting options and the minutia of each plan. Instead, he opened the floor to questions from non-committee members which were recorded by the clerk and made part of the official record. Chairman Calabrese assured everyone present that written responses would be provided for every question submitted on the record.

Here are the comments and questions put to the Committee on Thursday:

1) The Geneva City Councilors who had penned a defense of the County's process the day before in the local paper, Ron Alcock and Paul D'Amico, were in attendance, as was Councilor Augustine. D'Amico did not ask questions, but simply repeated his support for demolishing the main building at Milton and Pulteney and building new. Alcock noted the need for the community to be notified of, and perhaps involved in, the design process for any new building, to foster clear communication on issues such as set backs from the street and the overall orientation of the building within the neighborhood.

2) City resident and member of the FLCC Foundation Board, George Michaels, asked for more detailed analysis of the space needs. He pointed out that the $11.9 million plan that includes demolition of the building and construction of a new space would result in far less than the 58,000 square feet that FLCC said it needs. He received an immediate response from the architect, who stated that the orientation of the new building on the site allows for further additions and expansion in the out years. Michaels responded that he would prefer to see the money spent to accommodate current needs stemming from recent growth and anticipated needs from projected future growth. He noted a 28% increase in student enrollment at the Geneva center within the past year. He asked again for a detailed analysis of those projections as they related to space needs and square footage costs under each option.

3) Pulteney Street resident Diana Davis asked about the practices for estimating particular line item costs, and in particular, the nearly $900,000 projected to improve the parking lot at the corner of Pulteney and William Street.

4) Augustine submitted six questions/requests for information for the record, three directed at the architects and three at the committee as a whole.

From the architects, she asked for the following:
1. A timeline for the project, if approved, including phasing of the construction and demolition elements. An assurance that the full range of classes would continue to be available at the extension center site while the project proceeds.
2. A clarification on the cost estimates per square foot for the $18 million project that puts FLCC classroom space on all three floors.
3. The estimated process timeline for SHPO sign off for the draw down of state funds for a project option that includes demolition.

From the Committee as a whole, she asked for the following:
1. A detailed description of the process of considering and rejecting each of various co-tenancy options for the renovated main building. This a follow up to an assurance made by President Risser at a 2008 City Council meeting, that the committee along with the Community Advisory Committee, would look at co-tenancy options.

2. (Similar to Mr. Michaels' request), the five-year growth projections (both in programming and enrollment) for the Geneva Extension and the associated space needs.
3. Results of focus studies and/or other research that indicate that a flat-roof, contemporary building design is needed to achieve the "message of hope" that President Risser says that the building must convey to students. This is in contrast to other college improvement projects that opt for a more traditional collegiate design that might be more in line with the existing neighborhood.

We assume the FLCC Projects committee is already hard at work developing responses to the questions posed and will conduct public meetings (TBD) to receive input on the plans before a decision is made, beginning with a presentation to the Geneva City Council (TBD). While Chairman Calabrese said that he didn't want to give any "false hope" that the committee would step back and reconsider demolition, we do remain confident that an honest and open public process will bring forward the public intelligence that will ensure the best decision for the long term needs of the County, the college, and the Geneva community.