Ocala City Hall’s 57-year-old elevator system is set for a possible major overhaul as officials consider a $188,545 modernization project to address near-critical failures.
The elevator modernization project agreement with Oracle Elevator Holdco, Inc., will come before the Ocala City Council for consideration during its regular meeting on Tuesday, January 20.
Oracle, which does business as Elevated Facility Service, was previously awarded an elevator/lift preventative maintenance and repair service contract in June 2023.
According to city staff, the 57-year-old elevator has reached the end of its operational life and is plagued by frequent service interruptions and component failures.
An audit by vertical transportation consultant VDA revealed the system has a preventative maintenance rating of just 2.3 out of 5, with unsatisfactory scores in three key categories.
The situation is compounded by an obsolete controller board that is no longer supported by the manufacturer, leaving the city with few options other than a complete update.
Staff identified the proposal from Elevated Facility Services as the most cost-effective solution after comparing it against higher estimates from competitors (VDA estimated the project at $470,000, while Kone provided a quote of $264,400).
By utilizing the current maintenance provider, the city expects to save significantly while restoring reliable access for staff and visitors. Facilities staff has recommended approval of the expenditure to address the critical maintenance issues.
The Ocala City Council next meets on Tuesday, January 20, at 4 p.m. at Ocala City Hall (110 SE Watula Avenue).