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Johnston County approves up to $5 million for Clayton High School design work
Summary
The Board of Commissioners approved a not-to-exceed $5 million allocation to advance design and due diligence for a rebuilt Clayton High School and to replace the home-side grandstand; staff will seek a reimbursement resolution so funds can be recouped after financing is arranged.
The Johnston County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 17 approved a not-to-exceed $5,000,000 allocation to advance due diligence and the design phase for the Clayton High School rebuild and related athletic improvements.
The funding covers site due diligence — including surveys and underground utility investigations — a full traffic study and early design work with the Barnhill/LS3P design-build team the school system selected. Brooks Moore, the school representative who presented the request, said the package also includes immediate replacement of the home-side grandstand to meet high school athletic association capacity standards and installation of a modular press box within that seating.
Commissioner Michael Stovall praised the Barnhill/LS3P team’s potential to “control budget, schedule, and have a full understanding of the school system’s needs,” and said that visible management of the project would help secure favorable financing in bond markets. Treasurer/county staff member Hester asked that the board place a reimbursement resolution on a future agenda so the county can recoup the design/due-diligence outlay after the appropriate loan or financing is secured.
School representatives said the immediate “due diligence” portion of the request is about $390,000 and is included inside the not-to-exceed amount. The presenters described the $5,000,000 as an early, not-final installment to move design work substantially forward while the school and county coordinate with the town of Clayton on traffic and site issues.
Board members discussed the selection process for Barnhill/LS3P, with commissioners saying they participated in design interviews and that the firm offered the best prospects for delivering on budget and schedule. Commissioners also emphasized that the design funds would be part of the overall project cost and said they expected to address a reimbursement resolution at the next agenda so the county could reclaim the amount when loan proceeds are available.
The motion to approve the requested not-to-exceed amount carried on a voice vote.
Looking ahead, county staff and school officials said the design phase will include extensive coordination with Clayton on access and circulation, and that the replacement of the home grandstand is intended to be undertaken early in the overall project timeline to meet capacity standards for high school athletics.
