1 - WHO WAS STANLEY WHITE?
Mr. Stanley A. White served as Athletic Director for New Bern Parks and Recreation for many years. Mr. White had a significant influence on young athletes by teaching sportsmanship and well-being through wholesome association with others in organized sports. He was a leader, a mentor, and led by example.
The Stanley White Recreation Center was dedicated to the honor and memory of Mr. White on August 2, 1976. The center is considered an historic "center piece" of the neighborhood.
2 - WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE STANLEY WHITE RECREATION CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE?
On May 26, 2020, the New Bern Board of Aldermen adopted a Resolution establishing the Stanley White Recreation Center Advisory Committee to provide support and assistance to the Board of Aldermen to facilitate community engagement in the design and development of the new Stanley White Recreation Center, recommend recreation center services, serve as a liaison between the city and citizens and recommend and promote alternative funding sources. SWRC Advisory Committee Resolution.
3 - WHAT IS THE PROJECT BUDGET?
The Stanley White Recreation Center was substantially damaged due to Hurricane Florence. After a lengthy process, the City has received the following funding to rebuild the Stanley White Recreation Center:
- FEMA Grant $5,629,986.75
- State of NC - $1,876,662.30
- Insurance - $500,000.00
- Total Funds: $8,006,649.00
4 - WHEN WILL THE NEW RECREATION CENTER BE OPEN?
The current schedule/process includes two steps:
- Determine what "goes in the building", including activities and programs, and;
- Location: The determination of what goes in the building will drive the location discussion.
We anticipate completing those steps, including cost estimates in early 2021. After which we will begin facility design. Construction could begin by late 2022.
5 - WHAT IS GUIDING THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS?
The Stanley White Recreation Center Advisory Committee adopted a Public Participation Plan. It is a living document which defines the Outreach process and documents project meetings, findings, media events, etc..
6 - WHAT KEY QUESTIONS ARE YOU TRYING TO ANSWER THROUGH THIS PROCESS?
- What does the Community Want in a new recreation center?
- Recreation Needs.
- Activity and Program Needs.
7 - IS THE STANLEY WHITE RECREATION CENTER MOVING TO A DIFFERENT LOCATION?
The Board of Aldermen requested a change of Scope to the Stanley White Recreation Center project. The change includes moving the center to a location outside of the current flood zone. The City of New Bern is currently going through an Environmental Assessment with FEMA as a part of this process. A decision on relcation has not been made.
8 - WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT?
Please see the attached presentation provided by FEMA, which details the process.
9 - WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO HENDERSON PARK IF THE STANLEY WHITE RECREATION CENTER IS MOVED TO A DIFFERENT LOCATION?
Henderson Park will always remain a park. The property will not be sold. During the public input process, we will gather citizen recommendations on revitalizing Henderson Park.
10 - CAN THE STANLEY WHITE RECREATION CENTER SQUARE FOOTAGE BE INCREASED IF IT IS BUILT AT THE HENDERSON PARK LOCATION? IF SO, WHAT IS THE PROCESS FORMAKING THE CHANGE OF SCOPE REQUEST TO INCREASE THE SQUARE FOOTAGE AT THE HENDERSON PARK SITE?
These two questions are interrelated. There is a process to evaluate an increase in building size and retain FEMA funding. When an applicant chooses to make improvements to a facility, but still restore the facility to its pre-disaster function, federal funding is limited to the Federal share of the approved estimate of eligible costs and the Applicant would need to request an improved project. See 44 C.F.R. § 206.203(d). Under the Public Assistance Alternative Procedures for Permanent Work Pilot for Hurricanes Florence and Michael, FEMA Recovery Policy FP 104-009-7, eligible work costs must be based on accurate cost estimates and funding is capped at the approved estimate.
- Project 85979 is written to return the facility to its current footprint. FEMA received a letter on July 1, 2020 notifying FEMA that the City of New Bern was requesting a relocation. The City needs to send a letter to NC requesting an Improved Project. The State will review and if approved, send the Improved Project request to FEMA.
- An improved Project Request would supersede the relocation process and halts the Environmental Assessment process.
- A detailed Scope of Work (SOW) including detailed plans for the modified building and the building site must be developed in coordination with FEMA Public Assistance (PA).
- A project revision would need to be written, reviewed and approved by FEMA, the state, and The City of New Bern.
- FEMA will conduct EHP compliance reviews on the actual SOW to be implemented. EHP review needs to occur prior to FEMA approval and prior to the Applicant starting any work with the potential to impact the environment, historic properties, or archaeological resources.
The EHP review will determine if the Environmental Assessment or any additional reviews are required.
11 - IF A LARGER BUILDING CAN BE PLACED ON THE HENDERSON PARK SITE, WILL FEMA COVER THE ADDITIONAL COST FOR A LARGER BUILDING?
Since the City chose to accept a Fixed Cost offer for Project 85979 - the Stanley White Recreation Center, the funding is capped at the current Federal Share $5,629,986.75 and any incurred costs for expansion of the facility above the capped amount is the responsibility of the City. See Public Assistance Alternative Procedures for Permanent Work Pilot for Hurricanes Florence and Michael FEMA Recovery Policy FP 104-009-7. A copy is attached to this email for reference.
PA Permanent Work Pilot Policy for Hurricanes Florence Michael 508 Final 10-15-2018
12 - HOW MUCH FLOOD INSURANCE DOES THE CITY NEED TO CARRY IF THE BUILDING (assumed 18,000sf) IS ELEVATED IN PLACE AT HENDERSON PARK?
Pursuant to 44 C.F.R. 206.253, Insurance Requirements for facilities damaged by disasters other than flood, Public Assistance is approved only on the condition that the recipient of the grant obtain and maintain insurance in the type and amount reasonable and necessary to protect against future loss to the property from the same type of hazard that caused the disaster. The extent of insurance to be required is based on the eligible damage that was incurred to the damaged facility from the disaster. Thus, If the facility is located in a floodplain such as Henderson Park, the city will be required to carry flood insurance in the amount equivalent to the reconstruction cost of the facility.
13 - WHAT IS THE APPROXIMATE COST OF THE FLOOD INSURANCE FOR AN $8,000,000 BUILDING/18,000SF BUILDING ON THE HENDERSON PARK SITE?
Per the June 15, 2020 Board of Aldermen Meeting Notes, the following discussion regarding cost of flood insurance for an approximate 18,000 SF building located at the Henderson Park site states: “While staff did not have an idea of the cost for that amount of coverage, Mr. [Foster] Hughes said $500,000 in flood insurance would cost $12,085 annually for the current [Henderson Park] site. Insurance for the alternate location would be $2,300 annually, and flood insurance would not be required since the location is outside of a floodplain. Flood insurance rates went up this year about 30- 35%, and the City will likely see the increase next year. Mr. [Corey] Spaulding cautioned that flood insurance would be a perpetual expense if the structure were rebuilt in its current location. Alderman Odham asked about an estimate for $8 million in flood insurance, and Mr. Spaulding estimated it at slightly less than $180,000 annually.” –See link below to access full meeting minutes.
1 June 15, 2020 Board of Aldermen Meeting, Minutes: https://www.newbernnc.gov/Board%20Agendas%20Minutes/2020/061520%20Spec%20Mtg%20SWRC.pdf
FEMA advises that the above discussion is based on estimates. Until actual insurance quotes are provided by insurance companies these numbers are subject to change.
The City has requested information from our Insurance carrier.
14 - IS FLOOD INSURANCE REQUIRED ON A BUILDING PLACED ON THE 3RD AVENUE SITE?
No, flood insurance is not required by FEMA at the 3rd Avenue site as this site is not located within a flood plain. However, the obtain and maintain insurance requirements of 44 C.F.R. § 206.253 still apply and the City must obtain and maintain insurance in the type and amount reasonable and necessary to protect against future loss to the property from the same type of hazard.
15 - WILL IMPROVING DRAINAGE (unclogging and improving drainage pipes) AT THE CURRENT SWRC SITE AND THE GREATER DUFFYFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR RELOCATION OF THE SWRC?
The City has developed a plan to secure state and federal funds to address drainage issues around the Henderson Park drainage basin, including the SWRC site. However, the floodplain improvements are not anticipated to eliminate flooding issues at the SWRC site. The plans will be fully detailed in the project Environmental Assessment.
16 - WILL THE NEW STANLEY WHITE RECREATION CENTER BE USED AS A SHELTER IN THE EVENT OF EMERGENCIES (ie,. hurricanes, ice storms which create regional loss of power, etc.)?
The City has advised FEMA that it is the City’s intent to use the new SWRC as a Red Cross Shelter in the event of emergencies. The facility may be able to serve that purpose if the building is relocated to the Third Avenue site. If the facility is reconstructed in the current location, it will not be eligible to serve as a shelter because:
o The facility will be in a floodplain and emergency shelters are not allowed to be located in a floodplain.
o Even if the ground floor of the building were elevated above the floodplain, the site would be considered inaccessible due to the potential of flooded streets and potential long-term impacts to utilities.
17 - WITHOUT ANY FURTHER ACTION ON THE PART OF THE CITY OR FEMA, CAN A LARGER BUILDING BE PUT ON THE HENDERSON PARK SITE?
Per the current conditions of the grant and federal obligated funding, as documented in the Project Worksheet, the facility is not eligible (not been approved) for a larger footprint on the existing site.
18 - CAN A SCOPE CHANGE REQUEST TO FEMA BE MADE TO PUT A LARGER BUILDING ON THE HENDERSON PARK SITE?
: In accordance with 44 C.F.R. § 206.203(d)(1), and the PAPPG, v. 3.1 (2018), when a subrecipient wants to make improvements, but still restore the pre-disaster function of the facility it is an improved project. Moreover, FEMA may determine a project to be improved if a damaged facility was restored to a different design than existed pre-disaster and the change was not required by codes, specifications or standards. The City would need to submit an improved project request through the state for approval and the funding is capped at the approved estimate of eligible costs. Costs above project eligible costs are the responsibility of the sub-recipient.
19 - WHY DOES THE CURRENT PROJECT CONSIDER AN 18,000SF BUILDING AT HENDERSON PARK AND A 26,000 SF BUILDING AT THE 3RD AVENUE SITE?
: At the October 29, 2020 SWRC Advisory Committee Meeting (see link to recording below), it was asked and stated that the 18,000 SF number and the 26,000 SF number were based on cost per SF for a typical recreation center in NC (based on historical precedents) and the costs provided in the Damage Restoration Evaluation put together based on a 18,000 SF replacement building (see document linked below). See below for costs breakdown:
2 Reference: October 29, 2020 Steering Committee Meeting at West New Bern Recreation Center. Recording: Statement by Rachel Nilson and question by Alderwoman Harris: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzpeit5vVnM&feature=youtu.be Henderson Park
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Demolition of Existing Building
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$628,101
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Construction Cost of new 18,000 Replacement building on Henderson Park Site
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$6,707,771
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Soft Costs (fees, permitting, inspections)
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$670,777
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TOTAL
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$8,006,649
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Construction Cost: $372/SF
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18,057 SF
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