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Gilpin County approves AD Miller contract for community annex after value‑engineering direction
Summary
The county approved a construction contract with AD Miller Services Inc. for the Gilpin Community Annex with a not-to-exceed amount of $2,465,000, directing staff and the contractor to pursue further value engineering and outside grants to reduce final cost.
Gilpin County commissioners on Wednesday authorized a construction and value‑engineering contract with AD Miller Services Inc. for the Gilpin Community Annex and directed staff to continue finding cost savings and outside funding to reduce the project cost.
Why it matters: The county is building a new annex to house a community food pantry, a commercial kitchen and other services. Commissioners pressed staff and the contractor for design changes and reuse options intended to trim estimated construction costs and preserve key program elements such as a dedicated commercial kitchen.
Facilities director Ryan Keenan told commissioners the county issued an RFP in January and evaluated seven proposals. “We received seven proposals, and AD Miller scored the highest, according to our evaluation criteria,” Keenan said.
At a work session the board asked staff to pursue value engineering to reduce the average bid cost near $3.3 million. County staff and the commissioners identified several changes estimated to lower the price, including relocating the site closer to the existing food pantry (estimated savings about $600,000), switching a metal roof to asphalt (about $20,000), substituting a heat-coil system for a heat pump (about $20,000), cutting interior ceiling millwork (about $15,000), changing asphalt parking to a gravel surface (about $80,000), and revising structural material from concrete masonry unit (CMU) block to wood frame (about $100,000). County staff also recommended reusing shelving, freezers and other equipment already owned by the county where practical and pursuing grant funding for walk‑in refrigeration.
The board also acknowledged an Energy Impact Assistance Fund (EIAF) grant that contributes to the project budget; staff said the DOLA grant for the pantry was included in the overall funding package. Commissioners asked that human services and the county grant manager pursue additional donations and grants to outfit the interior and offset capital expenditures.
Commission action: The board adopted Resolution 25-041 authorizing the county manager to execute a contract for value-engineering and construction services with AD Miller Services Inc., with a contract not to exceed $2,465,000 and direction that staff pursue additional funding and ongoing value-engineering with the contractor. Commissioners voted 3–0 to approve the resolution.
Public questions and follow-up: Commissioners and residents raised questions about operational costs for a community kitchen, public health licensing, and how rental or usage fees might be set. Staff said licensing and permitting costs for external users would remain the responsibility of those businesses or groups using the kitchen, and that policies governing dedicated kitchen use would be established during implementation.
Next steps: Staff will negotiate final contract terms with AD Miller, pursue the value‑engineering measures approved by the board, and continue outreach for donations and grant funding. The county manager and facilities director will return with updates as cost estimates and design revisions are finalized.
Ending: County commissioners said they approved the measure to keep the project moving while continuing to press for further cost reductions.
