Local architects pitch on‑call services to county; emphasis on renovations, roofs and project management

Jim Porter, principal of Cortland Architectural, presented his firm’s qualifications and a proposal to serve as an on‑call architectural consultant for county projects. Porter described a small, experienced office that focuses on renovations, building envelope work and construction administration and said the firm can provide services from predesign through construction closeout.

Porter said Cortland has a clerk‑of‑the‑works capability (an in‑house quality representative) who performs estimating and weekly site reviews to catch issues early. Porter described recent projects including an interior remodel for a military readiness center, an electric bus maintenance facility, reroofing and window replacements for institutional clients and tenant improvements at Spokane International Airport. He told commissioners the firm is experienced with occupied facilities work, tight security sites and projects that require careful phasing.

Commissioners asked about landscape and irrigation design and whether Cortland’s proposed landscape architects would provide sprinkler design and civil engineering. Porter said that some landscape professionals do irrigation design and that larger overhauls are often a hybrid of landscape and civil engineering work; he said Cortland can coordinate civil engineers if required or work with engineers already involved with a project to retain continuity.

Porter and commissioners discussed project management on problem projects, including how the firm vets contractors and responds if installed work proves defective during construction. Porter said his team uses responsibility criteria at bid time, evaluates contractors’ resumes and experience, documents deficiencies and supports the county through conflict resolution, including photo documentation and escalation to arbitration if required.

Why it matters: The county periodically awards on‑call consultant rosters so it can quickly assemble design teams for renovation, roofing and maintenance work. Porter said Cortland’s small size and local subconsultant relationships help the firm be responsive on short notice.

Porter said the firm can take over ongoing concepts or designs if the county prefers continuity with existing engineers or designers; he also said Cortland will provide documentation and training so county staff can maintain deliverables after projects close.

Next steps: Commissioners said they will review proposals and schedule decision meetings in the weeks ahead; Porter said his team can return for follow‑ups and to answer questions about specific projects that are still in predesign.