Consultants presenting a planned public‑works and utilities campus told the Zephyrhills council on April 28 that current design‑assisted estimates for the full project, including soft costs and contingency, have risen to roughly $27–28 million and that staff should consider value engineering and phasing.

Nick Bridal and John Lutchie of CPH described program verification and a reduced administration building footprint from earlier plans, and AD Morgan’s preconstruction team presented trade‑level pricing based on 60% design documents. Matt DiMadio of AD Morgan said the team had “generated approximately 40 value engineering options worth approximately $4,000,000” and that options include reducing exterior finishes, downsizing mezzanines and, more controversially, changing the administration building from concrete masonry to a pre‑engineered metal building. Consultants cautioned that a metal building may reduce longevity and that CMU (concrete masonry unit) provides more durable long‑term performance.

CPH’s updated line‑item estimate showed construction hard costs around $21 million, with the balance of the $27‑$28 million total coming from soft costs (design contingencies, FF&E and program contingencies). The team said the 60% estimate relies on market pricing from subcontractors and that additional value engineering will be done while design proceeds toward 90% documents.

Council members pressed for clarity on the increase from prior study numbers. Several members urged a firm budget be set with the project sized to available funding rather than expanding scope and then cutting back; Councilman Lance Smith said he would not support moving forward until the city knew how to pay for it. Staff responded that a funding plan is in development that could include bonding and that design should continue to 90% so options and precise alternates will be available for phasing. Several council members said they preferred a hardened, long‑lived CMU construction for the administration building rather than a metal alternative, even if that requires a phased build.

Staff said the design contract and construction manager work will continue and that they will return with a clearer phasing plan and a funding strategy to present to council.