Worthington selects construction manager at risk and owner's representative for outdoor pool project

The Worthington City Council on March 17 authorized two selections for the outdoor pool project: Roselli Construction Company for construction-manager-at-risk services and Williams Architects to serve as the city's owner's representative.

John Moorhead described a qualifications-based procurement that produced three interview finalists and a pricing/technical proposal phase. The selection committee recommended Roselli (spelled aloud during the meeting by firm representatives as "Roselli"); staff cited Roselli’s ongoing work on the Thomas Worthington High School natatorium as a reason the firm is well-positioned to manage a second pool project adjacent to that site. Toni Roselli and Capria Gross spoke briefly about their team’s experience and noted pre-construction work will emphasize alternate materials and tariff risks, scheduling coordination with the school site and minimizing disruption.

The council also approved a contract with Williams Architects to serve as the owner's representative; Nancy Weir, Williams’ Ohio regional manager, described Williams’ aquatics experience and said the firm has completed hundreds of pool projects and has local project experience with Columbus-area pools. City staff stressed that the resolutions authorized pre-construction services and that separate legislation for bond issuance and construction-phase appropriation will come to council later.

Both resolutions passed by voice vote. The city manager said Roselli will begin pre-construction coordination and that bond issuance and final construction appropriation will be brought to council in coming months.

Why it matters: adding a construction manager at risk and an owner’s representative accelerates the project’s pre-construction schedule, informs design choices to mitigate material/tariff risks, and positions the city to move quickly into the construction phase once financing and final design are completed.