JLG Architects provided a design update to the Dunn County Board of Commissioners on construction-document progress for a courthouse remodel and a new Public Safety Center and said a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) will be presented to the board on Dec. 3. The presentation covered schedule, alternates the county can accept or decline, and how the two projects would fit on the selected site. "If you guys approve the GMP on December 3 is when we plan on presenting again and having actual hard bids," the JLG presenter said.
The design team advised that the courthouse scope includes a courtroom reorientation with a small addition, expanded courtroom lobby and relocated jury and judge support spaces; the second floor will be bid as an alternate that could contain training space or a relocated human services suite. The Public Safety Center design now emphasizes precast exterior walls for cost and schedule reasons, with several alternates including a textured form-liner finish, site and accent lighting, radiant floor heating instead of overhead tube heaters, an electrical equipment screen, and an optional indoor shooting range fit‑out. JLG said the contractor (JE Dunn) expects to issue bid documents in late October, receive bids around Nov. 13, and present a summarized GMP and alternates on Dec. 3.
County staff and commissioners asked about the cost difference for the precast finish (the architect estimated roughly a $200,000 budgetary difference) and about public access and sheltering at the Public Safety Center. The design team said the building includes an elevator and stair access to a basement level that could be used in emergencies if the building is open and accessible.
The board asked that the bid opening location be coordinated; JLG said the bid opening could be held in Dunn County or Dickinson and that the GMP meeting on Dec. 3 may need a longer agenda slot to review alternates and backup documentation. The board did not take immediate action; staff will bring the GMP and bid-tab summary back for formal consideration on Dec. 3.