Fuquay Varina hires CMAR for Public Service Center Phase 2; approves preconstruction fee

The Fuquay Varina Town Board on March 24 authorized a construction manager-at-risk (CMAR) agreement with Edifice General Contractors for the Public Service Center Phase 2 project and approved a $112,300 preconstruction services fee and related budget amendments.

The action matters because the CMAR model is intended to help the town control costs and schedule as it expands municipal facilities. Tracy Stevenson, the town's director of public works, told the board the town negotiated a $112,300 fee for preconstruction services and a 5% fee on the CMAR's eventual guaranteed maximum price.

Stevenson said the project will continue design work with Withers and Ravenel (the previously approved architects) and that Edifice will perform value engineering and cost control during preconstruction. He told the board the $112,300 preconstruction fee will be split between the general fund ($74,867) and the utility operating fund ($37,433).

Town staff recommended authorizing the town manager to execute the CMAR agreement, subject to review by the town attorney, and to approve the associated project ordinance amendment and budget amendment (POA 25-25 and BA 25-25). A motion to authorize the contract and amendments passed unanimously.

The board and staff also noted the CMAR approach was used previously for the Hilltop Needmore Community Center, which staff said was delivered on time and under budget. The motion recorded no named mover or seconder in the meeting transcript; the vote was announced by the presiding officer as unanimous.