Steering committee: owner’s‑rep selected for Whatcom County justice project; scope goes to council Jan. 28

A Whatcom County IPRTF (Indigenous People, Racial & Public safety Task Force) steering committee meeting on Jan. 16, 2025 heard that the county has selected a contractor to serve as the owner’s representative for the county justice project and that the scope of work will be forwarded to the county council on Jan. 28.

The owner’s rep will act as the project manager for capital development, including recruitment and oversight of architects and construction contractors and coordination of community engagement, steering‑committee members said. Committee members said the selected team demonstrated experience with criminal‑justice facility work, behavioral‑health planning, trauma‑informed design and operational planning for justice and behavioral care facilities.

Committee members who participated in the contractor interviews described three finalist teams; the chosen firm was praised for experience with jail sizing analysis, behavioral health space planning and modern operational practices for co‑located jail and behavioral care functions. Steering members said they expect the firm to help shape community outreach plans and other planning deliverables as the project moves into the design phase.

Members stressed there are outstanding policy and procurement questions that could affect the project timeline and execution. One steering committee member said the county council is concurrently considering an ordinance that would establish a community benefits assessment and a project labor agreement (PLA) requiring labor provisions for contracts above a $5,000,000 threshold; that discussion is scheduled for Jan. 28 and may affect how the owner’s rep carries out procurement for the jail and behavioral care center.

Committee members said they have been coordinating with the executive’s office on negotiation details and that the contract has been in negotiation for several weeks. The steering committee was told the county hopes to finalize an inked contract in February, but members emphasized that precise dates depend on negotiations and any council directions on labor or community‑benefit requirements.

Clarifying details provided at the meeting included: the owner’s‑rep role is management and coordination rather than direct construction contracting; the firm selected has prior criminal‑justice facility and behavioral‑health campus experience; and a scope‑of‑work package will be on the council agenda Jan. 28 for review. No firm name or dollar value for the contract was announced during the meeting.

The steering committee did not take a formal action or vote on the contract during the Jan. 16 meeting. Members said they will circulate the selected team’s resume and scope materials to the steering committee prior to subsequent meetings so members can review the firm’s qualifications and planned scope of work.