Title
Studio AH, LLC dba Nurture - John Humphrey House ADA Access Additional Services Addendum G CO# 6
History
On February 28, 2022, the Village entered Contract 2022064 with Studio AH, LLC, now doing business under the name Nurture, to provide architectural and engineering services for the demolition of Boley Farm and rehabilitation services for the John Humphrey House and Stellwagen Farm.
The initial completion date of the contract was February 27, 2023. Addendum A and CO #1 extended the contract completion deadline to February 27, 2024 and added Stellwagen Farm to the scope. Addendum B and CO #2 extended the contract completion deadline to August 31, 2024. Addendum C and CO #3 extended the contract to February 28, 2025. Addendum D and CO #4 updated the legal name to Nurture, extended the contract completion deadline to December 31, 2025, and removed Stellwagen Farm from the Scope of Work. Addendum E extended the contract to June 29, 2026. Addendum F and Change Order #5 extended the contract termination date to December 26, 2026.
ADA access improvements were included as part of the John Humphrey House Renovation project; however, as the project has progressed, staff and the project team determined that the previously contemplated deployable ramp approach should be reevaluated. The original approach relied on the existing concrete path and a deployable ramp system to provide access to the porch building entrance. Upon further review, this approach does not provide the most practical or appropriate long-term access solution for the site.
One of the primary considerations in evaluating alternative access solutions in maintaining the historic character of the John Humphrey House while providing compliant accessibility improvements. An accessible route with a slope of 1:20 or flatter is preferred because it can function as an accessible path rather than a ramp. A ramp condition would require handrails, landings, and other related improvements that would have a greater visual impact on the home. Staff has worked carefully throughout the project to preserve the historic integrity of the John Humphrey House, and the introduction of handrails at the front entrance would be inconsistent with those preservation efforts.
The existing concrete slabs that would be used for the deployable ramp are approximately 15 feet, or 180 inches long, by 36 inches wide. With an existing porch height of approximately 7 inches, an accessible route designed at a 1:20 slope would require a minimum run of approximately 140 inches. In addition, a 60-inch clear landing or turning area would be required where the route changes direction, and additional width may be needed where the accessible route turns around an obstruction. As a result, the total minimum route length would be approximately 200 inches, which is roughly 20 inches longer than the existing path allows.
The deployable ramp approach also does not fully resolve the access issue at the building entrance. Even if the exterior path were adjusted to meet accessibility requirements, there remains an approximately 4-inch height difference between the porch and the finished floor at the door threshold. This height difference exceeds the allowable threshold height and would require an additional sloped transition or ramp of approximately 80 inches. Creating a second ramp at the entrance would introduce a switchback condition, additional turning and width requirements, and a potential tripping hazard at the porch and doorway.
For these reasons, staff recommends that the ADA access solution be redesigned as an integrated permanent accessible route. The proposed approach would raise the porch approximately 4 inches, rotate the accessible route, and incorporate the route into the existing sidewalk system. This approach would eliminate the need for a deployable ramp, avoid the need for a second ramp at the doorway, provide a more durable all-weather access solution, and better preserve the historic character of the home. Landscaping would also be incorporated to help define the route and provide appropriate physical separation where needed.
Nurture's additional services proposal will allow the Village to evaluate and develop this revised access approach before proceeding with the final design, contractor pricing, permit review, appearance review, or a construction change order, if required. Nurture's additional services proposal will include concept- level review and design services related to the ADA access improvements, including evaluation of the porch, entrance, accessible route, site constraints, and historic prevention considerations. The proposal is not intended to authorize construction of the ADA access improvements. Any final construction documents, permit drawings, contractor pricing, or construction change order would be brought forward separately, if required, and require approval from the Plan Commission for any exterior work.
Staff seek Board approval to execute Addendum G and Change Order #6 with Studio Ah, LLC dba Nurture for additional architectural and engineering services related to the John Humphrey House ADA access improvements in the amount $30,400.00, increasing the total not-to-exceed amount from $204,450.00 to $234.850.00
Financial Impact
Funds are budgeted in GL Account 3000000 570100 for these services.
The additional services proposal is $30,400.00. Approval will increase the Studio AH, LLC dba Nurture contract from $204,450.00 to $234,850.00
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to approve and authorize the execution of Addendum G and Change Order #6 to the original contract 2022064 dated February 28, 2022 with Studio Ah, LLC dba Nurture for additional architectural and engineering services related to John Humphrey House ADA access improvements in the amount of $30,400.00, for a revised contract amount not to exceed $234,850.00, and as fully presented.
(Full motion- not necessary to be read)
I move to approve and authorize the execution of Addendum G and Change Order #6 to the original contract 2022064 dated February 28, 2022, as previously amended, with Studio AH, LLC dba Nurture for additional architectural and engineering services related to the John Humphrey House ADA access improvements, consistent with Nurture's additional services proposal dated June 12, 2026, including review of alternate ADA access approaches, evaluation of porch, entrance, grade, and site constraints, development of concept- level access options, and coordination with applicable Village review processes, in the amount of $30,400.00, increasing the total not-to-exceed amount from $204,450.00 to $234,850.00;
AND
Authorize the Village Manager to execute all related contracts, subject to Village Attorney Review.