Council authorizes negotiation of interim agreement with Horrigan Construction for downtown library design

Williamsburg City Council voted to authorize the city manager and city attorney to negotiate an interim agreement with Horrigan Construction Corporation for the conceptual/design phase of a new downtown Williamsburg Regional Library.

City staff and the evaluation committee described a multi-month review of three conceptual proposals received under the city's RFP. Evaluation committee members from library stakeholders, the construction management consultant and city staff said one proposal scored higher on qualifications, project approach and financing presentation and that the committee recommended moving forward with Horrigan for the interim agreement.

Jim Yatzik, a construction-management consultant who supported the evaluation committee, told council an early step under an interim agreement would be a series of community engagement sessions to present conceptual options and gather public input to inform early design work. Vice Chair members and library stakeholders emphasized the importance of robust public engagement and programming-driven design. Committee members noted the existing library building has functional issues (leaking roof, HVAC, sewage) and that a new downtown facility would be intended to meet needs for decades.

Action: Council voted to authorize negotiation of the interim agreement; roll-call votes recorded the motion as approved with the following affirmative votes: Ms. Williams (Aye); Ms. Ramsey (Aye); Mayor Ponds (Aye); Vice Mayor Dent (Aye); Ms. Currenscher (Aye).

Ending: Staff will return to council with a negotiated interim agreement and a public-engagement plan; committee members said the next steps will include public sessions to solicit community feedback on conceptual designs and program elements.