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Receive an update on the Solano County Fairgrounds McCormack Hall Emergency Relief Shelter Project; Consider approving reroof and structural stabilization; and Consider approving an Appropriation Transfer Request of $2,500,000 from the Capital Renewal Reserve Fund and $59,894 from the County Liability Fund for the project (4/5 vote required)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of General Services recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive an update on the condition of McCormack Hall and potential improvement approaches for the Emergency Relief Shelter Project located at the Solano County Fairgrounds;
2. Consider approving Option A - Reroof and Structural Stabilization for McCormack Hall; and
3. Consider approving Appropriation Transfer Requests (ATRs) of $2,500,000 from the Capital Renewal Reserve Fund and $59,894 from the County Liability Fund to (BU 1774) Emergency Relief Shelter Project to fund completion of Option A - Reroof and Structural Stabilization for McCormack Hall (4/5 vote required).
SUMMARY:
McCormack Hall, located at the Solano County Fairgrounds, is used for Fair events, community activities, and emergency response operations. The building has also been identified as a potential emergency shelter capable of supporting large-scale disaster response operations. The proposed improvements are part of the Emergency Relief Shelter Project (Project).
In October 2024, the Board approved $1,000,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support the revitalization of large venues, such as McCormack Hall, for disaster response and emergency sheltering purposes under the Project. During evaluation of the roof replacement project, exploratory demolition revealed additional structural deterioration beyond the original project scope, increasing the estimated project cost from $1.0 million to approximately $3.56 million. ARPA funding must be obligated and expended by December 2026, which requires the County to proceed with construction in the near term to ensure compliance with the federal program requirements.
Staff evaluated several potential approaches (See Attachment B for further details on options) to address the building condition, ranging from limited stabilization of the existing structure to modernization or full replacement of the facility. Based on cost, schedule, ARPA timing requirements, and current capital funding constraints, staff recommends proceeding with Option A - Reroof and Structural Stabilization. This approach addresses the most urgent structural and water intrusion issues while acknowledging that additional building system upgrades will be needed in the future.
Approval of the requested $2,559,894 in ATRs will augment the Project budget and allow construction to proceed, stabilizing the building while preserving flexibility for future Fairgrounds planning decisions.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Through prior Board actions, the Board approved $1,000,000 in ARPA funding under Emergency Relief from Natural Disasters category for the Emergency Relief Shelter Project (BU 1774). Based on current expenditures and committed project costs, the remaining available project balance is approximately $578,797.
During the evaluation of the project, additional structural deterioration was identified, increasing the estimated total project cost to $3,500,000.
To complete the project, staff recommends augmenting the project budget through ATRs of $2.5 million from the Capital Renewal Reserve Fund and $59,894 from the County Liability Fund. A project budget summary is provided in Attachment A.
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2025/26 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
Project Background
McCormack Hall is a large assembly building located at the Solano County Fairgrounds and is used for Fair events, community activities, and emergency response purposes. The building has been identified as a potential emergency relief shelter capable of supporting large-scale disaster response operations.
In October 2024, the Board approved $1,000,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support the revitalization of large venues, such as McCormack Hall, for disaster response and emergency sheltering purposes. Consistent with the ARPA Emergency Relief from Natural Disasters program category, project priorities focus on structural stabilization and critical building systems needed to ensure facilities can safely function during emergency shelter operations.
As part of the FY2024/25 Mid-Year Budget Adjustment, the Board approved an ATR of $1 million and directed the General Services Department’s Capital Projects Management Division (GSD/CPM) to proceed with roof replacement at McCormack Hall.
Current Facility Use and Operations
McCormack Hall supports Fair events, community activities, and private gatherings throughout the year. In addition to large events, the facility hosts community programming such as the Food is Free food distribution program, which operates twice a week. The building is also used for recreational events such as roller derby meets, private celebrations, memorial services, and wedding receptions, and occasional filming activities. McCormack Hall may also serve as a large indoor space capable of supporting emergency sheltering or disaster response activities when needed.
The Solano County Fair Association (SCFA) manages scheduling, marketing, and operations for McCormack Hall and other Fairgrounds facilities through its website and community word-of-mouth. While the facility generates rental revenue, SCFA historically has not tracked revenues by individual building and is currently implementing improvements to better track facility-level financial activity.
Project Status and Building Conditions
During evaluation of the roof replacement project and exploratory demolition, staff determined that the existing roofing system has reached the end of its useful life and requires replacement. Additional structural deterioration was also identified, including corroded structural steel members supporting the roof, deterioration of wood framing along the north wall, and water intrusion damage from long-term roof leaks.
Several reroofing systems were evaluated based on the condition of the existing metal roof, structural capacity, long-term durability, and maintenance considerations. Options reviewed included coating systems and overlay roof assemblies. Based on structural compatibility, expected lifespan, and reduced maintenance risk, a single-ply overlay roof system was identified as the most appropriate solution.
Structural repairs must be completed before a new roof system can be installed. The updated project cost estimate for roof replacement and structural repairs is approximately $3.5 million, with construction estimated to take six to nine months.
During the investigation, staff also identified additional building deficiencies including aging Heating, Venting, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, electrical corrosion near the main distribution panel, improvements needed for the commercial kitchen, exterior drainage issues, and more. These conditions warrant further evaluation but are not required to complete the reroof and structural stabilization project. Additional improvements may be evaluated through future capital planning efforts if funding opportunities become available.
Insurance proceeds totaling $59,894 from storm damage to a separate County-owned building at the Fairgrounds (“County Building”) are available and are recommended to be applied toward the McCormack Hall reroof and structural stabilization project.
Expo Hall Comparison
The Fairgrounds also includes other large assembly buildings, including Expo Hall, which is approximately 22,000 square feet, similar in size to McCormack Hall. While Expo Hall may support large events or emergency shelter operations, McCormack Hall currently serves as one of the primary indoor event venues at the Fairgrounds and supports a variety of community and Fair-related activities. Improvements to McCormack Hall were identified under the Emergency Relief Shelter Project to maintain an existing facility capable of supporting both community uses and potential emergency shelter operations.
Options Considered
Staff evaluated several potential approaches for addressing the condition of McCormack Hall. These options are summarized in Attachment B - Facility Options Evaluation. Because the Project is funded through ARPA, improvements must be completed by December 2026. Options requiring significant planning, design, or environmental review may not be feasible within the remaining timeframe.
Options evaluated include:
• Option A - Reroof and structural stabilization
• Option B - Modernize the existing building
• Option C - Replace the facility with a new building
• Option D - Construct a temporary/interim facility
• Option E - Redirect ARPA funding to Expo Hall
Capital Funding Considerations
The County continues to manage significant capital infrastructure needs across multiple facilities, including justice facilities, public safety buildings, administrative buildings, and other County-owned assets. These needs are evaluated through the County’s Capital Facilities Improvement Plan (CFIP), which identifies and prioritizes major capital needs across County facilities.
The Solano County Fairgrounds remain an important County asset supporting community events, agricultural programming, and emergency response operations. McCormack Hall plays a key role in these functions, including its potential use as a large-scale emergency shelter facility.
The recommended approach focuses on stabilizing the building and addressing immediate structural concerns while maintaining operational use of the facility. This allows the County to preserve the building in a safe and functional condition.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends proceeding with Option A - Reroof and Structural Stabilization. This option represents the lowest immediate capital investment and the shortest implementation timeline while addressing active roof leaks and structural deterioration. The improvements are expected to extend the useful life of the building envelope by approximately 15-20. Option A also provides the most feasible path for utilizing ARPA funding within the federal expenditure deadline of December 2026.
The Project will be delivered through the County’s Job Order Contracting (JOC) program, under which the County Administrator has delegated authority to execute construction contracts (“job orders”), with County Counsel concurrence, and within the approved project budget. Staff will coordinate construction scheduling with the SCFA to minimize impacts to Fair events and facility operations.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. The Board could choose not to proceed with Option A - Reroof and Structural Stabilization. This is not recommended as delaying roof replacement would allow continued water intrusion and structural deterioration, potentially resulting in higher repair costs and increased safety risks.
2. The Board could direct staff to pursue alternative approaches, such as modernization, facility replacement, construct temporary facility, redirect ARPA funding to improvements at another Fairgrounds facility, such as Expo Hall, or deferring action pending broader planning discussions. This is not recommended as these options would require significant additional funding, extended planning and evaluation, and may not be feasible within the ARPA funding expenditure deadline of December 2026.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Solano County Fair Association has been consulted regarding the project and coordination of construction scheduling to minimize impacts to Fair and event operations.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION