HQ Position -- My understanding is that the very competent and experienced NSS HQ Commission has whittled their list to 6 potential sites in 2 states (plus a do-nothing option) for discussion at the April BOG meeting in Albuquerque. They will make their site recommendation at the Convention in Glenwood Springs. I have so far followed the NSS HQ process from a distance, as none of the locations suggested include far west Texas, where it might best serve me and the other 3 NSS members here. However, that has to be the outcome of the HQ project – how will any of the sites best serve our membership in the era of virtual books, instant social media and recurring ecological nightmares.
I work on capital projects professionally (state park type) and did contact the HQ Commission chair, John Scheltens, several months ago concerning a key construction assumption being used in the NSS study. I recently worked on a preliminary feasibility study for a 6500 ft2 (7800 ft2 gross) visitor center on the Franklin Mountains State Park. Our consultant, Museumscapes of Dallas, estimated that the building only (excluding fees, site work, exhibits) would be in the range of $275 to 325 per ft2. This is significantly higher than the $135 per ft2 assumed in the NSS new construction study and I questioned John about this. He explained that this figure was derived from local engineering/construction sources. In the areas in which the HQ is proposed, these are all relatively low construction cost. He suggested that I might find similar cost estimates here for El Paso. I do note that some of the sites under evaluation by the NSS contain existing buildings which might be purchased and remodeled to meet NSS HQ needs. The costs there should be less than new construction but the end result will still be an older building with some upgrades. Anyway, capital projects are always a concern due to some likelihood of significant cost overruns. That applies to any of the sites under consideration. They will require super project management personnel to ride herd on architects, contractors and their sub-contractors to make the building happen. And my preference on a site for an NSS HQ -- Let the HQ Commission complete their mission, listen to the NSS membership and identify the option (do-nothing is on the table) which would offer the best service to present (and encourages future) NSS members . Then, I can become an advocate. John Moses, NSS 7009 CM El Paso 2011 BOG candidate ps See some of you in Brackettville at the Spring TSA ____________________________________________________________ Groupon™ Official Site 1 ridiculously huge coupon a day. Get 50-90% off your city's best! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3131/4d8cdb515447546d744st01vuc --------------------------------------------------------------------- Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: [email protected] For additional commands, e-mail: [email protected]
