Agenda Date: 04/21/2026
Subject:
Title
Belleview Service Center Basis of Design discussion
Body
|
From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
|
Prepared by: |
Adrienne Burton, Director of Major Projects |
|
Presentations: |
Adrienne Burton, Director of Major Projects |
|
|
Julie Rotter, Facilities Manager |
|
|
Brent Soderlin, Director of Public Works & Utilities |
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this session is to provide City Council with an overview of the Basis of Design (BOD) process for the future replacement of Buildings 2 and 3 at the Belleview Service Center and to confirm alignment on how this effort will inform future capital planning and decision-making. This discussion introduces the BOD as a foundational planning phase that defines operational requirements, site considerations, and technical criteria for a new facility. The BOD translates current operational realities and future service needs into a structured framework that will guide subsequent design, cost estimation, and capital investment decisions.
This study session is intended to:
• Provide clarity on what the Basis of Design is-and is not-and its role in project development.
• Present initial findings from stakeholder engagement, including operational challenges, opportunities, and emerging design drivers.
• Illustrate how facility layout, circulation, and site considerations impact safety, efficiency, and service delivery.
• Frame key considerations and tradeoffs that will influence future decisions related to scope, cost, and level of service.
• Outline next steps and how this effort connects to the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and future funding discussions.
This is an informational discussion. No decisions regarding final design, project scope, or funding are being requested at this time.
DISCUSSION:
Project Background & Context
The Belleview Service Center serves as a critical operational hub for the City’s Public Works Department, supporting essential services such as fleet operations, street maintenance, snow removal, and materials management.
Buildings 2 and 3, originally constructed in 1948 and 1961, have exceeded their useful life and no longer support modern operational needs. These facilities present ongoing challenges related to:
• Inefficient layouts and constrained circulation
• Incompatibility with modern vehicles and equipment
• Deferred maintenance and aging building systems
• Safety, accessibility, and code compliance limitations
Replacement of these buildings is necessary to ensure the City can continue to deliver reliable, safe, and efficient public services while supporting current and future operational demands.
What is the Basis of Design (BOD)?
The Basis of Design is a strategic planning document that establishes the framework for future facility design and capital investment.
The BOD includes:
• Space programming and operational requirements
• Site planning considerations and constraints
• Architectural and engineering design criteria
• Preliminary cost and schedule frameworks
• Regulatory and code considerations
The BOD does not:
• Represent final design or architectural drawings
• Establish a guaranteed project cost or construction schedule
• Authorize construction or funding
Instead, the BOD serves as the bridge between identifying facility needs and advancing into design, ensuring that future decisions are informed by validated requirements, operational priorities, and realistic assumptions.
Process & Council Role
The BOD process is structured to incorporate technical analysis, stakeholder input, and operational validation prior to advancing into design.
Key elements of the process include:
• Site assessment and evaluation of existing conditions
• Stakeholder engagement with operational teams
• Development of space programming and functional relationships
• Establishment of design criteria and site planning options
• Preparation of cost and schedule frameworks
City Council’s role in this phase is to:
• Provide policy-level guidance and feedback
• Confirm alignment with service expectations and long-term priorities
• Inform future decisions related to scope, investment, and implementation
Future Council actions will occur as design advances, cost information is refined, and funding strategies are developed.
What We’ve Heard So Far
The project team has conducted two in-depth working sessions, with several additional sessions planned, engaging operational staff who currently work in-or will directly interact with-the future facility. This engagement is a critical component of the Basis of Design process, ensuring that the facility is shaped by the individuals who rely on it daily to deliver essential services.
Input from operational staff has provided valuable, experience-based insight into how the existing facilities function today, including where workflows are constrained, where inefficiencies occur, and where safety or operational challenges exist. This feedback is not only informing the identification of current deficiencies, but is directly shaping the definition of space needs, functional relationships, and circulation requirements for the new facility.
By grounding the Basis of Design in real-world operational experience, the City is ensuring that the future facility is not only technically sound, but also practical, efficient, and aligned with the needs of the workforce it is intended to support.
Key themes include:
• Operational Reality Today
o Facilities are constrained, inefficient, and difficult to navigate
o Circulation conflicts impact safety and daily operations
o Space limitations affect workflow and equipment storage
o What’s Working
o Centralized location supports coordinated operations
o Existing site provides functional access to the community
• Key Challenges
o Poor internal and site circulation
o Inadequate space for modern fleet and equipment
o Limited staff support spaces and amenities
o Operational inefficiencies due to outdated layouts
• Opportunities
o Improve safety through better separation of vehicles, equipment, and staff
o Increase efficiency through optimized layouts and adjacencies
o Enhance working conditions and staff support facilities
o Plan for future growth and flexibility
• Emerging Design Drivers
o Clear and efficient circulation patterns
o Accommodation of modern fleet and equipment needs
o Functional adjacencies between operations
o Flexibility for evolving service demands
o Improved safety and accessibility
Circulation & Operational Flow
Circulation is a critical factor influencing both safety and efficiency at the Service Center.
Current conditions create conflicts between:
• Vehicle and equipment movement
• Staff and pedestrian access
• Material storage and operational workflows
The BOD process is evaluating how improved circulation can:
• Reduce safety risks
• Improve operational efficiency
• Support faster and more reliable service delivery
Future facility planning will prioritize clear, intuitive circulation patterns that align with daily operational needs.
Key Considerations & Tradeoffs
As the project advances, several key considerations will shape future decisions:
• Cost vs. Level of Service: Balancing operational needs with financial capacity
• Site Constraints vs. Optimal Layout: Working within existing site limitations
• Phasing & Operational Continuity: Maintaining service delivery during construction
• Sustainability & Resiliency: Integrating energy efficiency and long-term performance
Understanding these tradeoffs early ensures that future decisions are informed, transparent, and aligned with City priorities.
Next Steps
The next phase of work will focus on advancing the Basis of Design through continued analysis and refinement.
Upcoming efforts include:
• Continued stakeholder engagement and validation of operational needs
• Development of conceptual layouts and site planning options
• Preparation of preliminary cost estimates and schedule frameworks
• Compilation of the draft Basis of Design report
City Council will be engaged at key milestones to:
• Review findings and recommendations
• Provide feedback on priorities and tradeoffs
• Inform future decisions related to scope, funding, and implementation
This work will directly inform future Capital Improvement Program (CIP) planning and broader discussions regarding long-term capital investment and funding strategies.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Littleton continues to face increasing demands on its infrastructure and facilities due to aging assets, evolving service expectations, and rising construction costs. The replacement of Buildings 2 and 3 at the Belleview Service Center represents a critical investment in maintaining the City’s ability to deliver essential public services.
This project is not an isolated effort, but rather the first step in addressing a broader portfolio of facility needs across the organization. Many of the City’s core facilities have reached or exceeded their useful life, with an average age of approximately 75 years. These conditions present ongoing challenges related to functionality, efficiency, safety, and long-term maintenance.
In parallel, the City has initiated a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a comprehensive Facilities Master Plan to evaluate system-wide needs, prioritize investments, and establish a long-term roadmap for facility improvements. The Basis of Design work for the Belleview Service Center will both inform-and be informed by-that broader planning effort, ensuring alignment between near-term project development and long-term strategic planning.
Together, these efforts reflect a clear and intentional direction: to proactively address aging facilities through thoughtful, phased investment grounded in operational needs, technical requirements, and fiscal stewardship. The Basis of Design process ensures that this initial investment establishes a strong foundation for future projects, positioning the City to advance facility improvements in a coordinated, strategic, and sustainable manner.
Prior Actions or Discussions
City Council Retreat - March 2025
Council Retreat Update - May 2025
City Council Study Session - September 2025
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Basis of Design phase does not establish a final project cost or authorize construction.
This phase supports future financial decision-making by:
• Providing a high-level opinion of probable construction costs
• Identifying key cost drivers and risks
• Establishing a preliminary project schedule
Future cost estimates, funding strategies, and potential debt implications will be presented to City Council at later stages as design progresses and assumptions are refined.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff requests City Council feedback on the following:
• Does the Basis of Design process provide sufficient clarity on operational needs and project direction?
• Does this approach support informed future decision-making related to scope, cost, and funding?
Council feedback will help guide refinement of the Basis of Design and inform subsequent phases of project development.
ALTERNATIVES:
N/A