NORTH SMITHFIELD – The Town Council has approved a contract with firm Bargmann Hendrie + Archetype, Inc. for design and construction services related to creation of a multigenerational center at the Victory Highway property that once held Halliwell Elementary School.
The “full service” agreement for $396,000 includes schematic design; design development; construction documents; bidding; construction administration and closeout, according to documents approved in a split vote on Monday, Nov. 18.
Council President Kimberly Alves cast the lone vote against the contract, noting that newly elected officials had not had a chance to look at the documents.
“In the past, we would never really sign a contract that would go into another administrator’s timeframe,” Alves said. “I would just ask that we hold this off until we can have the new administrator look at it.”
Councilor Douglas Osier and Halliwell Review Committee Chairman Jeffrey Porter made the case for moving forward.
“I’ve heard from a lot of people in town – they’re really excited about Halliwell,” Osier said. “I’m worried that if we pause it, it will delay it, and not just to the next meeting.”
Osier noted that according to the timeline laid out by BH+A, the project could have a shovel in the ground by this time next year. The town secured a $4 million federal grant for the project in 2022 that will eventually expire if it goes unused.
“The reality is we’ve done nothing with it,” Osier said of the grant. “Punting now is a disservice. I think we should continue to move forward. We shouldn’t let the momentum die down.”
“This town has a history – a new council comes in and things get disrupted,” he added.
Councilors voted in October to move forward with plans to build a multigenerational center on the property after years of debate and discussion that included consideration of an alternative site at Scouter’s Hall. The recent vote was hailed as a victory for the Halliwell Committee, which first began looking at how to utilize the 32-acre former school property in 2021.
“I’d really like to get my foot on the gas pedal to continue moving this forward,” said Porter last week.
Councilor Paulette Hamilton questioned the size of the building that BH+A plans to design. The firm presented conceptual plans last January, laying out multiple options for a center that noted the $4 million grant would only cover a 3,200-square-foot structure- not considered adequate to meet the town’s needs as a facility to serve both seniors and others.
Instead, the HRC and BH+A recommended a 6,600-square-foot building at a cost of around $6 million as the minimum needed for a multi-generational center on the space.
On Monday, Porter noted that the firm will now move forward with the 6,600-square-foot design while the town seeks additional grants. A second $1 million federal grant approved last year will target outdoor improvements to create passive recreation on the property.
“The million dollars will go a long way toward finishing up Halliwell,” said Town Administrator Paul Zwolenski.
Hamilton noted that the firm will still be designing a structure that costs $2 million more than what’s currently available.
“Wouldn’t it make sense to know which building we’re going to build?” she asked.
Porter responded that the town can always scale back plans with designs showing the extras as “add alternates.”
“There’s probably potential for other funds out there,” agreed Osier, noting that construction can also take place with a phased approach.
Councilor John Beauregard noted that “Whether we do a 1,000 square-foot building or a 6,000-square-foot building, we have to take the next step.”
Councilors also discussed the future for the HRC and the town’s Multigenerational Advisory Committee, a second board that has looked at options to build the future center. A potential option put forth last Monday would have seen the advisory group absorbed into the HRC with those interested to fill three open seats and two additional advisory roles.
“I think there definitely needs to be collaboration between both,” Osier said of the groups. Osier served as liaison to the HRC over the last two years, but did not secure another term on the council in this year’s election.
Porter said he had spoken to some members of the multigenerational committee and they did not want to continue working on the project, emphasizing again that the HRC wants “to continue moving forward quickly.”
Beauregard noted that both boards have completed the tasks initially assigned to them by the council.
“Now it’s time to say goodbye, put those committees to rest and start clean,” he said.
Hamilton seemed to agree.
“You have successfully completed your tasks and we thank you for that,” she told Porter. “Give us a minute. The goal is to expedite this project and to keep it on track.”
Alves said she would communicate with both groups to set up a joint meeting.
Looking at these designs it is apparent no-one actually understands the true town needs for a center like this.
This town needs to go back to the comprehensive plan, developed under Tom Kravitz, beginning with sidewalks to connect all the adjacent villages, passive environmental recreational development along our waterways, the revitalization of Branch Village and a multi-generational center that includes more than a room. At the very least, a benefit that could be enjoyed by all would be a pool or a gymnasium…we have enough rooms not currently in use. I recommend that the Halliwell Review Committee under the stewardship of Jeff Porter remain in place….add new members that share a commitment to a center for all.
I love people who have zero financial skills saying we need a pool and a gym. First off pools are very expensive and the Y pools struggle to stay open. Second the town has 3 gyms and if the athletic director of the school would create a schedule for town people to rent the town has plenty of gym time. Both ideas need to be self supporting but in most cases are just a financial burden.
I love people who assume that they have more financial insight and experience than others and truthfully, a pool has many benefits: therapeutically, teaching every child in North Smithfield to swim, a swim team, WSI and the rental ability for parties as well…managed correctly. The only Y pool in the state that has struggled to stay open is Woonsocket…that Y was mismanaged for years and their previous BOD, responsible for the fiasco of their third floor gym is to blame for their descent into financial disaster. I agree with your assessment of the gym..we do not need another one.
Just for a fact, all of the YMCA facilities are struggling financially. The Providence Y that operates a number of Y’s in the state had to close one facility in 2018. So the financial burden does not out way your small benefits that have a negative impact on home value due to high taxes. If you want a facility then you raise the funds, open a small business and operate a losing endeavor. I always love people who love to spend other people’s money with zero concern whether or not they can afford the tax. I also would like to know how many towns and cities in RI operate a publicly funded indoor pool. Not many if any I know of.
I believe warwick has a pool and two ice rinks while also supporting multiple basketball and tennis courts, multiple multi use fields that are used for baseball/softball/soccer that are funded by the town. Individuals tended to use the school courts for tennis though instead of the complex’s ones, which is essentially just across the street.
The issue with the multiple Y centers is declining membership, membership rates going up, declining buildings as they didn’t take good care of them.
You are correct Warwick does have 2 ice rinks and a pool but are 100% supported by the users of the facility and not the taxpayers. In Warwick if you want to use the ice rink you can rent 50 minutes at $250-$350 and the pool is an annual membership. Second North Smithfield does have a baseball, softball, and tennis court. North Smithfield also has an ice rink on 146 privately run supported by the users at $258-$381 per hour depending on the time. Let’s also understand that Warwick has a population of 83,047 and NS population is only 12,601. Residents of NS should not expect seniors to be paying for athletic services they will not use. I support the user pays!
Wow – such a harsh viewpoint. But you are entitled to it. Let me guess, you support only with those in schools to pay for the school system also?
Well if the school voucher thing passes, MORE of our taxes would go to schools, so there’s that.
The pool has a $5 to use the pool for adults, $3 for 6-17, and free for 5 and under. The cost of skating looks to be $5 for a day. If it’s supported by not the taxpayers, why is the parks and rec dept above the arena last I checked? Doesn’t that seem kinda wrong?
Wrong again. Public skating is $5 for one day a week at a certain time, not whenever you want to skate. Second it is only skating, no hockey or pucks. Third the rink budget is supported by the hockey programs who rent the ice. A review of the city budget shows a breakeven position for the ice rink. The pool also has a breakeven budget. Also note that the facilities are managed by public works.
Where was I wrong? You just confirmed I was correct.
Adding a pool to the current plan would add monies we do not have, just for a small group of towns people to use, makes no fiscal sense. Then apply the cost of maintenance and management of the pool and it would be cost prohibitive for this town to gets its arms around. We’d all love a Mercedes but actually can only afford a Chevrolet.
DT Do you often comment on North Smithfield topics, could you please share someone in current north Smithfield leader ship who does have financial skills?
That would be one who is the current town council president. The last two town administrators, the two bookends on the town council, the budget committee chair, and the finance director all have very little financial experience, knowledge, and training.
Over the last 20 years or so, None!
The town should build within its means “period”. They should not go down the road of overspending on a Taj Mahal, as it will get shot down. The towns people need tax relief not tax increases. Can’t wait to see if Mr. Gibbs and the new council can rein in spending, but we’ll see soon enough.
I think the 3800 sq ft unit – 4400 sq ft…..would suffice for now. See how it goes, and add on later, if really needed. And why can’t you use the multi room as a dance room also, by removing chairs. Using sliding wall sectionals…..
I think working in increments would suit the needs of the few, and if more space is needed, later, would justify it better after seeing how it all went first, then apply for grants, funding. Give it time and adjustment, testing the waters before going blindly past the monies currently available.
Reminds me of Krylo Dance Studios,in Woonsocket yrs ago…..they did not have tons of space, put on major ballet, tap, choreographed shows, then held them at the Stadium, and ran a great business from their second floor unit on Main Street for many many yrs. They cycled their classes, and it worked well.
My own town cycles and spaces the availability of our center for groups.
Should you build large right in the offing, chaos may ensue, and lots of unneeded space to heat and cool. Can always ADD on….you don’t want to close unneeded rooms off.
Just my two cents for what it’s worth in the planning and common sense of it all.
Another waste of taxpayer dollars. $400k for a design are you kidding. 10% of the $4 million just for the design. In the hundred of building budgets I have seen I have never seen the design cost 10%. 3% to 4% is the normal for a project. That’s what gets approved by inexperienced council and committee members. Who’s friends got this contract. Was there a competitive bid. Second you only have $4 million not $6 million just because a couple of folks in town think it’s a good idea to spend $6 million. Why not put this to a vote. Where is the extra $2 million going to come from. Oh I know just continue to raise taxes that most people cannot afford. All this for something that is not going to be used. Third who is going to fund the $1 million in operating costs for a number of union appointed no work jobs. This will be another white elephant that increases taxes and has very little value to most taxpayers. Why don’t we just let the people who want this facility pay the additional taxes. I would gladly put my name on a list to never use the facility and save thousands in tax dollars over a number of years. Where is the 5 year plan and the tax impact calculation that is required by law for this project. This facility has a negative impact on property values because of the high tax impact. Just wait for Gibbs major project spending ideas. Hold on to your wallet as the political machine steals your money.
Probably because it’s more than a design. “…includes schematic design; design development; construction documents; bidding; construction administration and closeout”
Also, if you have experience with hundreds of building designs, there are numerous town boards & committees you could join to help steer these projects.
The 5 year plan was squashed by the administrator, former administrator, and a couple of people on the council. Hopefully with Gibbs, and a new council, planning and development take a huge step forward, instead of the kick the can down the road that we’ve been used to for so long.
I think the delay time and time again of anything, was strongly due to not just funding, inexperience, but of many b…and g……about it all so much so, that in order not to deal with that, they just put things off IMHO. Seems no matter what is ever planned, it will never ever be right. Well, in order to lower or stabilize taxes you have to bring in businesses, use incentives, expansion allowed of those already established.
So it will be interesting to see with this new experienced TA and TC members, what the future holds. I don’t think they will sit on things to eternity though as in the past. More self-assured ppl on board now…..