Meridian approves LPK Architects agreement and construction contract approach for real-time crime center

The Meridian City Council on Jan. 7 approved an agreement with LPK Architects to design a real-time crime center at the Meridian Police Station and advanced the construction contract process that identified J&J Contractors as the builder.

City staff described the selection and procurement process during council discussion. Justin, a city staff member, said LPK was engaged to prepare design documents and to run the public bid process for construction: “LPK was engaged to design and draw and bid the process and do the bid process for construction.” Staff also told the council that the municipality uses the AIA 101 standard form for architect agreements and that the AIA 101 is “very owner friendly.”

Council members questioned how the architect was selected. Staff explained that for professional services—architects, engineers and similar—administration proposes a firm based on expertise and prior work and the council approves that selection; by contrast, the contractor for construction is chosen through a public bid process where the city accepts the lowest and best contractor bid. Justin confirmed J&J Contractors were selected as the construction contractor to perform the work under the city’s standard contracting documents.

The council voted to approve the architect agreement and to proceed with the construction contract documents. The meeting record shows the motion was approved; the transcript records “Aye” during the roll call, but does not supply a full roll-call tally in the text.

The agreement with LPK and the use of AIA 101 set the design and procurement path; staff said the next steps include completing design documents, issuing construction specifications, and conducting the public construction bid.