Updates

Building Committee Update June 2008

In 2005, the neighborhood voted 191 to 46 to move forward to construct an estimated $250,000 to $300,000 amenity center based on a schematic design from Pitt Building Company. In 2007, the Balcones Woods Board of Directors determined that a maximum of $480,000 could be allocated for the remodel of the commons area while still retaining appropriate reserve levels for future expenditures. At this time, the Board authorized the building committee to proceed and obtain an actual construction cost. The actions required to move forward from that point are:

1) Obtain a site plan from the city of Austin (Completed Feb 2007). Spent: $16,822
2) Hire an architect (Completed 2007). Spent: $21,038
3) Complete construction documents - June 2008
4) Project out to bid with contractors/Board consider proposals - July/Aug 2008
5) Go to neighborhood for vote on project with bid numbers - Sept/Oct 2008
6) Board vote with actual cost estimates - Sept/Oct 2008
7) Obtain financing (with approval)
8) Initiate construction (with approval)

The primary focus of the building committee for the last year has been to work with an architect to obtain construction documents. There are three phases of architectural design. The first phase, schematic design entails definition of the building elevation and footprint. In the second phase, design development, details such as location of doors and windows and materials to be used in construction are finalized. The third phase is construction documents. These are the documents that a contractor needs to provide a bid on a project and then to build the project. We hope to complete the construction documents phase by June of this year.

We engaged with two architects last year. The first architect did not work out and a second architect (Glen Teinert) was hired in December 2007. The current design from Glen Teinert is slightly different from the 2005 design, but it has the same functionality and several advantages. The new design is similar in that it proposes a large multi-use room, storage, and larger bathrooms. The new building will be constructed to existing building codes and will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

1) The new design saves the large live oak and 2 cedar elms behind the current guard shed.
2) The new design creates a much nicer walkway to the playground area and better integrates the tennis courts and the building.
3) The new design keeps all pool plumbing and hardware in the current location. This will save a significant expense and reduce the risk of any electrical issues during construction.
4) The new design has larger storage areas and an expanded shower area.

For questions regarding the new building, please contact a member of the Balcones Woods Building Committee.

Brian Anthony, Balcones Woods Drive
John Beckham, Cordova Drive
Cathy Reynolds, Cordova Drive Doug Bohne, Cordova, Drive
Stuart Bradford, Alhambra Drive
Kelly Folts, Galacia Drive

June 4th, 2007:

A special meeting has been requested by the building committee of the Balcones Woods Board of Directors. The committee is planning on presenting a recommendation on the hiring of an architectural firm for the amenity center project. The meeting will be Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 7pm in the activities room on the second floor of the Hyde Park Baptist Church Christian Life Center at the Quarries complex.
 

November 06 Update:

In July 2005, the board voted to proceed with plans to build a new amenity center at the pool based on a greater than 80% approval rating by the neighborhood.  The steps required to begin construction on an amenity center include a City of Austin site plan, a building permit, architectural drawings, and a completed construction contract with a reputable builder/contractor.  The City of Austin site plan is by far the most complex of these three steps.  The second half of 2005 we attempted to obtain an exemption to the site plan requirements, but after a great deal of effort the city finally told us that we needed to complete the full site plan process since our project required a conditional use permit due to zoning .   In March of this year, the board decided that the site plan process is too onerous to complete without professional help and we contracted the civil engineering firm of A.J. Ghaddar and associates to complete the process for us for an engineer’s fee of $13,700.  In addition to the engineer’s fees, we have incurred filing and review fees from the City of Austin.

The initial site plan proposal was submitted to the city July18, 2006, the City’s response was received on August 18^th, and our response to the city was completed September 8^th.  All three of these documents are available below.  If you review the documents in detail you will quickly see that in order to meet the cities requirements, we will be required to add numerous items that were not considered in the 2005 cost estimates (Fire hydrants, 6” curbs, 2 handicapped parking spaces, etc).  We expect to complete the site plan process by the end of this year which will enable us to begin construction after the pool closes in 2007.  The improvements required by the city will add to the final project expense, but will bring our common area out of the 1970’s into the 21^st century.

Once the site plan is obtained, we should have enough information to estimate total project costs.  We expect that the costs will increase from our 2005 estimates due to additional requirements added by the site plan and due to an increase in construction costs over time.  A complete project update will be given at the annual meeting in January including a revised financial analysis.

Brian Anthony

Building Committee Chair

BWC Board Chairman