Delaware County hires DLZ for schematic design of 911 Center at Carnegie Building; several resolutions approved

The Delaware County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 6 approved a professional services agreement with DLZ Architecture Incorporated to produce schematic designs for renovations to the county 911 Center in the Carnegie Building, with schematic design expected by June. The board also approved a set of routine resolutions, including annexation of 4.468 acres to the city of Delaware and confirmation of special assessments for a road realignment.

John Melvin, director of facilities, told the board that the county ‘‘finally worked out the contract language and agreement with DLZ’’ to evaluate the Carnegie Building and the 911 Center’s workflow and layout. ‘‘We should have that done by June, I think is the timeline,’’ Melvin said. He said the consultants include a specialist in 911-center operations and will examine layout changes (including possible lobby reconfiguration) and the building’s mechanical systems, which he described as about 25 years old and approaching end of life.

Commissioner Gary Merrill asked about expected construction timing. Melvin said the county has not reached that phase and that a construction schedule will depend on what the schematic and later design phases show. He added that the designers will assess how space recently vacated by public defenders and other internal moves could be used to improve flow.

The agreement before the board covers schematic design only; the transcript and agenda did not specify a construction budget, final construction timeline, or contract amount. The board voted to approve the professional services agreement and directed staff to proceed to schematic design.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 25-90: Approving the electronic record of proceedings from the Feb. 3, 2025 regular meeting — approved (yes 2, no 0). - Resolution 25-91: Approving purchase orders, unpaid certificates and payments of warrants (batch CMAPR0205) and demo transfers (batch MTAPR0205) — approved (yes 2, no 0). - Resolution 25-92: Granting annexation petition by agent for petitioner Michael R. Shade to annex 4.468 acres in Delaware Township to the city of Delaware — approved (yes 2, no 0). - Resolution 25-93: Approving a professional services agreement between the Delaware County Board of Commissioners and DLZ Architecture Incorporated for schematic design of the 911 Center/Carnegie Building Phase 1 — approved (yes 2, no 0). - Resolution 25-94: Confirming special assessments for construction of the realigned Home Road (County Road 1204), located just west of U.S. Route 23 in Orange Township — approved (yes 2, no 0). - Resolution 25-95: Proclamation recognizing Judge David Gormley for elevation to the Fifth District Court of Appeals — approved (yes 2, no 0).

Other business and context

Eric Hostetler, county general counsel, told the board that resolution 25-94 remedies a discrepancy in assessments that arose when a property was split a few years earlier. In administrator reports the board noted other county activity: the county intends to file three Brownfield remediation applications after the Department of Development announced an application date, with two proposed projects in Ashley and one in the city of Delaware. The transcript did not specify dollar amounts for the DLZ agreement, the assessments, or Brownfield applications.

The board recognized Bob Anderson, director of Job and Family Services, for receiving a ‘‘Pacesetter’’ award from the Ohio Public Employer Labor Relations Association and praised his departmental leadership. The transcript shows no public comment for this meeting and no executive session was held.