ORDINANCE appropriating $10,070,505.23 out of Public Library Consolidated Construction Fund; approving and authorizing Memorandum of Understanding between the BUFFALO BAYOU PARTNERSHIP, and the City of Houston, Texas; approving and authorizing Purchase and Sale Agreement between THE BUFFALO BAYOU PARTNERSHIP, as Seller, and the City of Houston, Texas, as Purchaser, for 38,600 square feet  of land and 25,154 square feet of improvements located at 5803 Navigation, Houston, Harris County, Texas, for the Houston Public Library  - DISTRICT H - CISNEROS

RECOMMENDATION: Approve and authorize a Memorandum of Understanding and a Purchase and Sale Agreement between The Buffalo Bayou Partnership (Seller) and the City of Houston, (Purchaser) for the purchase of a portion of the real property and improvements located at 5803 Navigation Boulevard for the Houston Public Library (HPL) and appropriate funds.

SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:  The General Services Department recommends approval of a Memorandum of Understanding and a Purchase and Sale Agreement between The Buffalo Bayou Partnership (Seller) and the City of Houston (Purchaser) for the purchase of a portion of the real property and improvements located at 5803 Navigation Boulevard for a purchase price of $9,940,505.23 and expenses.

Seller will renovate the property and improvements at 5803 Navigation Boulevard and the City will acquire approximately 38,600 square feet out of 231,308 square feet of land (16.69%) and approximately 25,154 square feet out of 47,406 square feet of improvements (53%). The City will also receive easements for the use of the adjoining breezeway and other complimentary facilities constructed by Seller near the library property. Upon completion of the building renovation, Seller will deliver shell improvements to the City who will design and construct the interior space of the shell improvements and core under a separate coversheet and appropriation.

HPL desires to use the land and improvements for the new Hispanic History Research Center, which will provide a repository for documents, photos, media, and artifacts that represent Hispanic history in the region and provide a new space for exhibits, programs, and outreach. The Hispanic History Research Center will allow the public to track their lineage and explore Houston history.

The following is a breakdown of expected costs:

$  9,940,505.23  Purchase Price

$       10,000.00  Survey

$       10,000.00  Environmental

$         5,000.00  Construction Materials Testing

$         5,000.00  Estimated Closing Costs 

$     100,000.00  Contingency

$10,070,505.23  Total

FISCAL NOTE:   No significant Fiscal Operating impact is anticipated as a result of this project.

WBS No.: E-000244

DIRECTOR’S SIGNATURE/DATE:

____________________________

C. J. Messiah, Jr.

General Services Department

____________________________

Rhea Brown Lawson, Ph.D.

Houston Public Library

$10,070,505.23 

Public Library Consolidated Construction Fund

Fund 4507

Enid M. Howard, Council Liaison                     

General Services Department