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Home My WebLink AboutVirginia Aquarium Interior Exterior Study Results 062425Virginia Aquarium Interior/Exterior Study Results Dr. Kenneth L. Chandler, Deputy City Manager June 24, 2025 1 Briefing Purpose •Provide City Council with… •A highlight of consultant’s findings from two separate studies focused on the interior (exhibits) and exterior (structural) of the Virginia Aquarium •A proposed scope of repairs, cost estimates, and legal obligations under the MOA between the City/Virginia Aquarium Foundation •Consideration of a staff action plan for repairs, costs, and appropriation 2 Historical Context of the Virginia Aquarium •The Virginia Aquarium is celebrating 40 years of operation. •3 studies were initiated to determine the future sustainability and operating vitality of the VAQ via interior exhibits, the external structure, and operational model. •Core exhibits including the Seal, Shark, and Turtle are 30 years old having exceeded a design lifespan of 25-30 years. •The original exterior structure is 40 years old, sustained only by periodic maintenance •Capital assets tend to have a 20-year life span followed by major renovation or new construction often financed with obligation debt 3 VAQ Consultant Studies 1. Interior Infrastructure Study: (Facilitated by Virginia Aquarium Foundation) •Conducted by Animal Underwater Services. •Focused on the interior conditions of the Seal, Shark, and Turtle habitats. •Final Report: Completed (Presented Today 06-24-2025) 2. Exterior Infrastructure Study: (Facilitated by City Public Works) •Led by Moseley Architects with Thornton Tomasetti as sub-consultants. •Focused on the condition and longevity of the building’s exterior and foundational structures. •Final Report: Completed (Presented 06-24-2025) 3. Operating Model Study: (Facilitated by Virginia Aquarium Foundation) •Conducted by Canopy Strategic Partners •Examine potential operating models, roles/responsibilities of the VAQF & City •Consider funding amounts, levels, and expenditures for operating and capital •Results expected to be completed year end 2025 4 Interior Exhibit Study Animal Underwater Services 5 Purpose/Key Findings •The review addresses current conditions, expected lifespan, and recommended interventions. •Timely repairs and proactive maintenance are crucial to avoid early failure. VAQ Exhibits Report Summary 6 Summary: •All exhibits/habitats (seal, shark, and turtle) require prompt attention. •An immediate and strategic plan of repair must be implemented to extend lifespan and prevent failure. •Long-term strategy needed to address eventual full replacement as exhibits reach end-of-life in 8–10 years.(Assuming Repairs are made) VAQ Exhibits Report Summary 7 VAQ Estimated Interior Repair Costs: •Interior Repair Cost Estimate: $8 Million •Typical exhibit/habitat ratio costs based on Legal Agreement: •City (40%) - $3.2 Million •Foundation (60%) - $4.8 Million 8 Exterior Structural Study Moseley Architects with Thornton Tomasetti as sub-consultants 9 VAQ Structural Report Summary Purpose/Findings •Conduct an on-site structural condition assessment of the Virginia Aquarium •VAQ structures exhibit •Concrete deterioration •Cracking, spalling, delamination, active leaking at cracks, corrosion deposits from internal reinforcement bars, and efflorescence •Separation of exterior precast concrete wall panels from structure •Repairs recommended •Repair by crack injection techniques, patch-repairs, rebar cleaning and coating, supplemental rebar splicing, moisture barriers, replace roof membrane of Seal Tank building, and precast wall separation 10 Estimated Exterior Repair Costs: •Estimated exterior repair cost: $1.6 Million •City (100%) - $1.6 Million •No cost share on exterior repair with VAQF 11 Total Project Repair Costs •Total Interior/Exterior project repair costs: $9.6 Million •VAQF Total Costs: $4.8 Million (60% interior only via MOA with City) •City Total Costs: $4.8 Million •Interior: $3.2 Million (40% cost share via MOA with VAQF) •Exterior: $1.6 Million (100% city for exterior structural repairs) 12 Planned Repairs are Critical—But Not the Final Solution •Immediate repairs to interior exhibits (Seal, Shark, and Turtle habitats) and exterior structure are essential to extend animal habitat and standard facility operations. •Interior exhibit repairs are expected to extend habitats life by 8–10 years •Exterior repairs will hopefully extend the facility life similar to the proposed interior repairs, but will best be confirm once work is underway •All repairs noted above only extend useful life, they do not sustain or eliminate the underlying aging infrastructure challenges or potential exhibit or facility failures 13 State of the Virginia Aquarium •Current state of exhibits and facility require development and execution of a long-term replacement plan now •We must begin developing a long-term facility replacement plan now, recognizing that: •The exhibits and exterior structure have reached the end life expectancy without immediate repairs. •Repairs may extend the operational life of the aquarium, but only for an 8- 10-year estimate. •Deferring planning or repairs risks facing future failure without a viable path forward 14 Design Funding Request—Laying the Groundwork for the New Sustainable Facility Future •To proactively address the eventual end-of-life of the core habitats and exterior structural needs, we plan to request $7-12 million in FY27 Capital Budget funding to begin design of a new facility. (Facility Construction estimated $78-$120 Million) •This is the critical first step in a long-term solution to replace aging infrastructure and maintain continuity of animal care, facility structural sustainability, and guest experience. •Based on industry standards and our own historical experience: •Planning → Design → Permiƫ ng → ConstrucƟon → Opening •This process takes a minimum of 7 years to complete. •Delaying design funding delays the entire timeline.Without early investment, we risk having no facility ready when these habitats can no longer operate. 15 Funding •Jul 2026 Design team selection •Jul 2026 - Dec 2026 Concept design & A/E •Jan 2027- Jun 2029 Bidding •July 2029-Dec 2029 Construction •Jan 2030-Jun 2032 Occupy •July 2032-Dec 2032 OPEN •Jan 2033 GENERAL CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FUNDING APPROVAL THROUGH OPENING Seven Years Future Actions/Next Steps 17 •No appropriation is needed for the $1.6 million for the exterior repairs currently. An existing CIP for the maintenance of the Aquarium will be used for this need. •Administration to bring ordinance to appropriate $3.2 million for the City’s obligation associated with the MOA with the VAQF to cover the City’s share of interior exhibit repairs in July/August 2025 •City Council to be briefed on consultant’s findings of operating model study lead by the Virginia Aquarium Foundation prepared by Canopy Strategic Partners Nov/Dec 2025 18 Questions/Discussion 19 Legal issues •Virginia Aquarium is operated under an MOA with the Aquarium Foundation. This agreement is dated April 3, 2019. It continues on rolling five-year terms, so current term ends April 3, 2029. •City responsibilities include repair and replacement of the facility and portions of the original construction of the facility. City is responsible for routine maintenance of permanent exhibits less than $5,000. •The Foundation is responsible for maintenance of permanent exhibits in excess of $5,000. •The City and the Foundation can and have jointly funded capital projects and entered into funding agreements for such projects. •If so directed, the City and Foundation could negotiate an agreement to cost share on the immediate habitat repair requirements. 20