Commission authorizes design work for Phase 2 of Douglas County Public Safety Building

The Board of Douglas County Commissioners authorized the county administrator to negotiate an amendment with Trainer Architects for Phase 2 design and construction administration services for the Douglas County Public Safety Building (PSB) on April 2. The motion passed 5-0.

Jay Zimmersheid of Douglas County Capital Projects introduced the presentation and said the request was limited to design fees needed to complete the main-level fit-out; the commission was not being asked to approve construction funding at this meeting. Trainer Architects' Jeff Lane and JE Dunn's Tim Akingay described the scope as finishing the main floor tenant spaces so the sheriff's office and other public safety functions would have completed spaces once occupancy moves occur.

The nut graf: staff estimated preliminary construction value for the Phase 2 build-out at $2.5 million to $2.8 million and noted design fees would be roughly $200,000. Speakers emphasized the benefit of completing the work now to minimize disruption to the basement 9-1-1 dispatch center and to realize estimated cost savings by packaging the work with the current construction rather than adding a separate future project.

Tim Akingay said the team expects cost savings and reduced escalation by incorporating Phase 2 now; he told commissioners the work could save about 15% compared with a standalone later project and that every additional year of delay could add roughly 4—2% to 5% in escalation. Akingay also said the construction sequence would extend the overall project by two to three months compared with the currently funded scope but would be shorter than building Phase 2 separately later.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about timing and the effect on operations. Staff reiterated the motion under consideration authorizes design services only; a later guaranteed maximum price (GMP) and formal construction approval would come back to the commission. Commissioner Reed said he supports proceeding with design now to avoid higher future costs. The recorded motion authorized the county administrator to negotiate an amendment with Trainer Architects for professional design and construction administration services for Phase 2; the motion was seconded and passed 5-0.

Ending: staff will proceed with detailed design and return with cost estimates and a GMP recommendation later this year; construction funding decisions will be considered in a future commission action.