Introduction
The next context we turn to in this report is the economic perspective surrounding this project. In this section, we will look at how much this project will cost, how funding will be secured, and how we plan to create a non-market valuation of this project.
What is the Cost?
To begin, Lafayette Gardens should be seen in the light of an investment, not in the light of just another cost on the balance sheet of the school. This project has tremendous value to bring to the college in a variety of different ways, including environmental, educational, recreational, and reputational pathways. For these reasons, it is logical that the project comes with some degree of financial investment in order to be completed. Through our calculated and revised estimates, we expect the project to be within the range of $170,000 to $260,000. This new estimate is a far development from our initial calculations in which we used other projects to extrapolate an estimated range of $50,000 to $300,000+ for the green wall alone (Cost Considerations, 2014). While not an exact number, we find this reduced range to be beneficial to the school in determining a magnitude of cost for the project.
In order to reduce our initial estimates, we made a number of assumptions. Chief among those assumptions was the decision by the team to pursue LiveWall as our living wall consultant and provider. LiveWall provided our team with the exact pricing ranges in order to narrow down our cost range significantly. LiveWall divided the costs into three areas: provided materials, plants, and contractor installation. If you look above at the supplemental information section of Chart 5.1 you can see that each of these three sections have multiple components with the exception of the plant line item which is purely focused on the vegetation for the project. The ranges for each grouping can be found outlined in the budget above (Chart 5.1). In addition to the specific price ranges provided, Live Wall has also acknowledged the need to think about maintenance figures. This is shown under the section of additional costs on Chart 5.1 and the subsequent supplemental descriptions. In this case additional costs include looking at fees associated with irrigation and electricity for the Live Wall.
Utilizing LiveWall’s system was pivotal in our decision-making process because we were able to further explore the other aspects of the project once we had anchored the pricing and system design for the green wall. We are still in contact with the team at LiveWall and they are ready to work further on the project with the college when the time comes to move forward on Lafayette Gardens. The rest of the project costs were attained using a variety of resources including wholesalers, manufacturers, and estimates from outside consultants such as Paul Deery a contractor from a local landscaping company.
For products such as the spires, wires, and Adirondack chairs, we were able to obtain costs quickly and efficiently online. In the case of the spires, we spoke with Penn Lighting in Philadelphia in order to gain quotes on the various spire sizes. In Chart 5.1 under the Spires subsection you can see the individual costs for each size of spire. The smallest spire had a price tag of $1,458.60, while the middle and large spires ran totals of $1,724.30 and $2,404.30 per unit respectively. When accounting for two spires of each size, the spires alone contribute over $11,000 to the final price of the project. The pricing for our wires came from US Cargo Control which priced our wire feature at $.19 per linear foot. Our Structural Engineer determined the necessary footage at 700 linear feet equating the cost of the wires to $133.00. In addition to the spires and wires alone there were several other components necessary to complete the spires and wires element of the gardens. These include the wire clips and thimbles as well as eyebolts for attachment to the wall. These features added an additional $141.85 to the total cost of the project. Though insignificant to the full budget the pieces play an important role in allowing the project design to be as realistic as possible.
For features such as the path, flower gardens, and terracing, it was necessary to utilize the expertise of a landscaping professional. The team turned to local landscaping contractor Paul Deery in order to obtain an estimate on the cost of incorporating a Pennsylvania Blue Stone pathway, terracing, and flower beds for our pollinator gardens. On short notice, he was able to provide us with an approximate range of $20,000 to $30,000 USD. A project including the $20,000 package would still have all of the features that the team is looking to include, but if the budget was pushed to the $30,000 level the landscaping could be elevated even higher looking at more intentional arrangements and a greater level of customization. In the case that this project is to proceed under guidance from the administration, our team would recommend pursuing Paul Deery as a landscaping contractor and or consultant on the project.
There are still a number of costs that we have not yet been able to determine. These include the cost of permitting, consulting with additional parties, and long-term maintenance. All of these figures will likely be determined by the school administration in the next phase of the project. We would recommend increasing the number of gardeners on the facilities staff in the future so they would be able to maintain this area. According to Scott Kennedy, several members of the current gardening staff have retired this year and the current capacity of facilities does not have the manpower to maintain this area. Keeping the maintenance work on the gardens within the Lafayette employees would keep the area looking fresh and up to college standards. Hiring an outside contractor could possibly reduce the connection and responsibility the workers may feel to the project and its overall image.
When looking into the scope of funding, Scott Hummel of the Engineering Division determined the funding for the project will likely come through a donor to the college. As a result, our team determined the name associated with the gardens may change from “Lafayette” to the last name of the donor, as an appropriate measure of gratitude for the generosity of the individual or family. In addition, we are looking at securing funding from different departments and organizations here on campus for certain features of the project. This would effectively reduce costs, as well as gain community support and integration on the project. For example, the LEAP organization or the Environmental Studies department could donate the bat boxes, as it focuses on increasing biodiversity and animal populations. The top cost outlined for the bat box installation is $780.00 (Chart 5.1), we think this is a fair price and could be well within the means of both entities to provide. Similarly, admissions could possibly donate money for the mural as it is a direct tie to the school’s image and would likely be pointed out on each prospective student and visitor tour. In addition to admissions donating funds for the triangle, Professor Jim Toia has recommended having students from the art department complete the installation. Professor Toia explains this project is well within the students’ capabilities and would serve to connect a greater group of the Lafayette community to the wall while alleviating the fees associated with hiring a professional artist or painter to complete the work.
Conclusion
Throughout this project, there has been a focus on quality, intentionality, and value. Each decision that has been made with those primary focuses in mind. For this reason, even though the price tag may seem steep for a “garden”, the investment is justifiable. This project brings values to the Lafayette community that ends up elevating the space far beyond that of a simple garden. This project showcases the college’s ideals of growth, sustainability, and collaboration from all areas on campus. Lafayette Gardens stands to be a living example of what the college represents and strives to be, and that in and of itself is priceless.
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