Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Construction Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves CG Schmidt as construction manager and owner's representative for referendum projects
Summary
The West Allis-West Milwaukee School Board voted to hire CG Schmidt to provide construction management services and to serve as the owner's representative for projects tied to the district referendum; board discussion focused on fees, communication and project phasing.
The West Allis-West Milwaukee School Board voted March 17 to hire construction management firm CG Schmidt to oversee major projects funded by the district’s recent referendum and to serve as the owner’s representative on ancillary projects.
Mister Aaron Norris (staff member) summarized a competitive RFP process that began in mid-January and included optional site tours, written questions, four proposals, staff interviews and finalist interviews. The district used three deciding factors to evaluate finalists: fees and warranty, a communications program, and preconstruction readiness and expense concerns.
Norris recommended CG Schmidt on each of those criteria: the firm’s fee structure was competitive, it committed to a preconstruction cap (no single preconstruction dollar amount exceeding $10,000) and its communications staff could continue outreach begun during the referendum campaign. Norris said using one firm for both construction manager and owner’s representative also provides efficiencies.
Board members pressed for details about cost differences. Norris said the cheapest stand‑alone owner’s‑rep bid was about $486,000; CG Schmidt proposed performing owner’s‑rep duties at roughly 1.25% of project value, which Norris said equated to about $186,000. He added that some on‑site costs for site visits would still apply but expected they would not erase the savings.
CG Schmidt managing director Ryan Schmidt introduced his team and described the company’s K–12 experience in southeastern Wisconsin, saying CG Schmidt’s mission is “to create exceptional facilities that improve the lives of others.” He said the firm had recent district work and plans to begin design, phasing and communications meetings immediately if authorized.
Board members asked about timeline and next steps. Norris said staff and CG Schmidt had already started kickoff calls and planned a follow-up in about a month to present recommended phasing and communications approaches, and to outline school‑level and district‑level community engagement for each project.
The board moved to approve the contract; the motion passed with voice vote.
District staff will return to the board with a proposed phasing plan and communications approach, and CG Schmidt will begin meetings with district staff, architects and communications personnel.
