Board awards architectural and engineering design services for 2025 bond program to Wakeley Associates

The Southgate Community School District board on June 24 approved the project team’s recommendation to award architectural and engineering design services for the district’s 2025 bond program to Wakeley Associates, pending final review of contract terms by district legal counsel.

Gary Town of RealPoint presented the procurement process: an RFP was issued to six firms, five proposals were received and the project team — including the superintendent and district staff — conducted post‑proposal interviews. Town said the Wakeley team demonstrated strong familiarity with K‑12 renovation projects and came prepared to the interview.

Wakeley Associates proposed a fee equal to 6.65 percent based on an assumed construction value of roughly $20,000,000, with a stipulated sum of $1,330,000 and a reimbursable allowance of $72,000, putting the total contract amount at about $1,402,000. The project team recommended Wakeley to reduce the risk of change orders by obtaining detailed drawings and strong project administration.

A district staff member noted that design professionals working on public‑funded projects are required by law to remain actively involved through the project rather than handing off drawings, a responsibility that influences expected fees for public sector work.

The board voted to approve the award recommendation and asked no substantive follow‑up questions at the meeting. The recommendation is contingent on legal review of final contract terms.

Ending: Staff said it will return with final contract documents after legal review and begin preconstruction planning with Wakeley Associates if counsel approves the agreement.