From: Jim Routledge <jim@jimroutledge.com>
Date: November 13, 2011 5:56:31 AM PST
To: Maurice Mauch <Maurice.Mauch@nanaimo.ca>
Cc: 'Cliff Thompson' <cliff@windleycontracting.com>, Douglas Holmes <Douglas.Holmes@nanaimo.ca>
Subject: Better Right than Rushed
Good morning Maurice - I hope your blackberry is on silent ring as this is early. I felt obliged to let you know ASAP that after looking at the NAB (New Annex Building) plans I can see other efficient & functional opportunities in the layout as it is. In other words I can see more changes I want to make.
As a frequent visitor to the old facility I have had occasions to visit most areas of the building, most departments. The NAB layout is good, I would like to offer input. I hope its reasonable to consider layout changes at this time. In my experience plans can always be changed. I know costs include time spent planning and this could delay completion. Once again I am reminded of the wise words given to me by my mentor in the Commercial Flooring business, Walter Shokal - "Better Right than Rushed". Walter, rest his soul, and his sons have done work in most every significant building in this city, I consider it only appropriate for him to have influence on this newest addition.
First Floor is fine, its 2nd & 3rd that are basically backwards. Start by flipping them front to back and then some juggling to suit incorporating the Mayor/CA offices
Starting at the top - the 3rd floor. I'd like to see IT and Planning at the front of the building. Planning is where I see the Mayor/CA This is where the creative juices start flowing, exposure to reality is huge - it guides & inspires plans and vision moving forward - a huge important element. Engineering and Accounting function better with less distraction. I simply could not do any accounting with even the slightest option for my brain to escape to- it is truly the hardest mental exercise I've encountered. Engineering for much the same reason excel with focus and concentration.
2nd floor - Development Services is where our customers come. This is where we have the opportunity to inspire and excite the prospective builders and developers of our future. Having the Service Counter flipped so that visitors would stand at the counter looking towards the harbour, looking to the harbour of The Harbour City, would give the best backdrop I could imagine to the plans they bring. It would also put our staff facing & focused on the customer and their needs. This is really the heart of the change I propose. Our staff need to focus on their work, our customers can face their dreams.
I do hope that this can be considered at least a remote possibility at this time. I am fighting hard in the race to be Mayor and even if I do fall short, perhaps our successful Mayor may want to consider these thoughts in light of his own management philosophy and experience.
I offer them at this time with no expectations.
For what it is worth as an experienced bidder of flooring for jobs like this - I would whine severely when asked to re-do my estimate but deep down I knew that the overall quantity simply could not change. It was at worst a good opportunity to double check my work.
Does it help you to know what I am thinking?
Regards
Jim Routledge 250 616 2151
Candidate for Mayor of Nanaimo 2011
www.jimroutledge.com
www.jimsworld2012.blogspot.com
Twitter: @JimRoutledge
FaceBook: Jim Routledge for Mayor
6021 Hammmond Bay Rd.,
Nanaimo, BC, Canada V9T 5M4
From: Maurice Mauch
ReplyDeleteDate: November 14, 2011 10:57:58 AM PST
To: 'Jim Routledge'
Cc: 'Cliff Thompson' , Douglas Holmes
Subject: RE: Better Right than Rushed
Hello Jim
Thanks for your thoughts, and taking the time to review the drawings, you have raised a number of valid points.
As you know, building design is an exercise of prioritization and compromise to achieve a project that meets the budget, schedule and desired finished quality.
The project team working on the New City Annex includes Architects, interior designers and staff from Windley Contracting that have used their experience as City of Nanaimo customers (bringing their own projects in for permitting) as well as professional skills in the design process for the new building.
City Staff members are also on the project team and their thorough knowledge of the services provided in both the existing City Hall and Annex building have been incorporated into the layout.
The team have spent a considerable amount of time in the process of developing these designs, be assured there is good rational for the layout that has evolved.
That said we will review the drawings with your comments in mind.
The project is a design –build project, we are well into the construction phase, therefore only changes that would provide the most significant advantage could be considered , as the cost in time and money to make changes now is significant.
The New City Annex project will also include the relocation of the City Manager’s office to be proximate with the Council and Mayors office in the historic City Hall. We see this as a significant advantage, which you have also identified.
Regards
Maurice Mauch ASc.T, LEED® AP
Project Manager