Marksville--The planned Tunica Biloxi Cultural Resources Center is a critical step forward for the tribe in many respects. The building is designed to be a multi-functional facility that will provide new and modern space for several vital and important functions of the tribe that currently do not have space or are housed in temporary facilities scattered through out the reservation. The facility will be the centerpiece in the tribe’s development and promotion of their cultural resources. The building will include space for the advancement of cultural education (auditorium, seminar rooms, an educational classroom), a repository for the historic and invaluable “Tunica Treasure” collection of artifacts, a resource library, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana Museum, a modern conservation lab, archival research and storage, and administrative offices.

Need #1: Several years ago, the museum housing the “Tunica Treasure” and other cultural resources of the tribe was demolished due to foundation and structural failures and problems. Currently the tribe has no place to exhibit their cultural resources and unique artifacts. The artifacts of the “Tunica Treasures” have been placed in controlled storage over the past four years awaiting the design and construction of this much-needed facility. At this time, no one has access to artifacts. The new facility addresses this need.

Need #2: The museum and administrative offices once housed in the museum are now housed in a double- wide trailer on the reservation. Space is inadequate and there is no place to handle artifacts or files that continue to increase. The new facility also addresses this need.

Need #3: At one time the tribe had a small conservation lab housed temporarily in a trailer and makeshift add-on, but that has since been abandoned and rendered non-functional. Currently there are no means to conserve many of the tribal artifacts that need conservation. The new facility addresses this need, too.

Need #4: The tribe currently has no means of promoting their cultural resources through educational means. There are no meeting, seminar and classroom facilities for educational use, nor is there a large enough auditorium to hold medium to large cultural educational events or programs.

Need #5: The tribe currently has no library to hold the publications for its cultural resources or for references of other Indian cultural resources in the area and region. This limits the tribal members to have access to their own written history as well as limiting the availability of students to do research about Indian cultures in Louisiana specifically the Tunica- Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana.

Need #6: The tribe has inadequate space for administrative offices for other functions carried on by the tribe. The new building will have space for 22 offices to handle programs and business of the tribe that are currently non-existent or are crammed into inadequate spaces in other buildings. The new administrative office space will allow the tribe to expand its programs and services to its members and to the general public as a whole.

Need #7: Better access to the site with more convenient parking is planned.

Need #8: A campus chiller mechanical system is planned for the Cultural Resources building and for future facilities that are being planned. Upgrade in the electrical distribution system is also part of the project. Recently, additional fire hydrants were placed around the site so that all future buildings can be sprinkled providing better fire protection and public safety.

Need #9: Currently, there is inadequate general storage on the reservation for some of the needed equipment to maintain and operate the existing or planned facilities. An equipment and maintenance storage building is planned along with the Chiller building to provide this needed storage.

Need #10: Currently many of the temporary facilities do not adequately address or meet many of the Life Safety Codes, International Building Codes or ADA accessibility requirements for use by the general public. Many of the tribal members are elderly and need easy access to facilities and services offered by this new building. The planned building meets all Life Safety and Building Codes and is fully accessible to all who would use the facility.

Existing Facilities

1. Conditions: As stated under the item “Need for the Facility,” the tribe currently has no building to house the functions that the new facility would house.

a. The previous museum building was demolished some four years ago and currently the tribe has no museum facility.

b. The museum offices, once housed in the old museum, are now housed in a temporary double-wide trailer that is small and inadequate to house the museum artifacts, files, offices and material that arerequired.

c. The existing conservation lab is a small used trailer with a poorly constructed add-on portion and has been abandoned because of its condition and space limitation.

d. There are no facilities to house educational programs or events to promote the Tunica-Biloxi culture and its cultural resources.

2. Adequacy: The current facilities being used by the museum, conservation lab and offices are totally inadequate for the needs and the functions to be handled by the facilities.

3. Suitability for Continued Use: The current facilities or lack of facilities are not suitable for continued use.

Proposed Facility

1. Description of Proposed Facility: The proposed facility will be a 37,470 square foot heated and cooled building consisting of the following spaces:

a. First Floor:

1. Conservation lab, Artifacts Viewing/Storage, Offices and service Facilities = 7,176 sq. ft.

2. Library and Support Facilities = 2,013 sq. ft.

3. Main Lobby and Visitors Services, Mechanical, Electrical, Toilets, & Gift Shop = 4,473 sq. ft.

4. Educational Seminar and Classroom Area = 2,042 sq. ft.

5. Museum and Exhibition Area = 3,397 sq. ft.

6. Multi-purpose/Auditorium Area = 3,386 sq. ft.

Sub-Total Sq. Footage 1st Floor = 22,358 sq. ft.

b. Second Floor:

1. Lobby, Communications, Mechanical, Electrical, Toilets = 6.013 sq. ft.

2. Administrative Offices, Meeting Rooms, Files, Conference, Work Center, etc. = 8,970 sq. ft.

Sub Total Sq. Footage Second Floor = 14,983.

Total Heated and Cooled Space: 37,470 sq. ft.

Other Facilities:

1. Covered Loading Dock, Walkways and Common Space = 7,919 sq. ft.

2. Uncovered Paving: Walkways and Open Courtyard (Optional) = 21,269 sq. ft.

3. Chiller and Storage Building and Paving = 1,644 sq. ft.

4. Outdoor Chiller Yard, Concrete Walks, and Concrete Parking = 4,252 sq. ft.

The construction of the proposed facility will consist of the following:

1. The structural framing will be composed of structural steel columns and girders designed to meet the current hurricane wind loads for the region. A concrete slab having continuous perimeter grade beams and concrete footings at each column will support the structural framing. Steel purlins will be used to support a standing seam metal roof. Exterior walls will be constructed of 18 gauge, 6 in ch steel studs and will be finished with a combination of 4-inch split faced block and brick. Window and oor openings will consist of 4 and 6-inch aluminum storefront systems able to withstand 100 mile an hour wind gusts.

2. Interior construction will consist of 4-inch and 6-inch, 18 gauge steel studs clad with gypsum wall board. Ceilings will be suspended acoustical grid and tile systems with drop-in lighting fixtures. Floors will consist of various materials including ceramic tile and carpet.

3. Mechanical systems to be used will consist of a chilled water system supplied by a chiller system located adjacent to the building. The building will be equipped with a voice evacuated fire alarm system and sprinkler system. The building will also meet all of the criteria and requirements to meet the guidelines of the Americans With Disability Act (ADA) for making buildings accessible to the handicapped.

Building Sites

The total amount of land required will be approximately 130,000 square feet or 3 acres. The land required includes the land for the actual building and the additional surrounding area needed for access, drives, parking, service and utilities. No purchase of additional land will be required. The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe already owns the property where the proposed building is to be built.

The location of the proposed building is on a very visible site at the front of the reservation. This location is desirable since it will be the first thing the general public will see and will be easily recognizable and accessible from Louisiana Highway One. No alternate locations were explored for that reason.

The proposed site is very suitable for the building since it is at the front of the reservation, easily accessible from Louisiana Highway One and its positioning will make the building the major focal point of the reservation, the center of activity. The site has all of the necessary utility services and is located just across the street from the Tribal Police Headquarters building and the current Administration Building. The Reservation is patrolled 24 hours a day by the tribal police department. Planned space for parking is very adequate and expandable if necessary.

Construction Cost Issues

Construction Cost: There are no specific permits or requirements that would affect the normal cost of construction. The only concern is the current rising cost of construction and the lingering impact on construction cost by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. There has been a marked rise in construction cost over the last 12 months of as much as 30% to 45% depending on types of material and the availability of labor in certain regions. It is almost impossible to accurately estimate construction cost now because of the volatility of the construction market in Louisiana.

Wayne Coco, AIA, Coco & Co,