Commissioners select Samet as preconstruction manager for planned county courthouse project

The Alamance County Board of Commissioners voted 4–1 to contract with Samet as the construction manager for the planned county courthouse project’s preconstruction and construction‑management services.

Staff said the appointment does not commit the county to a final construction cost; Samet will serve as preconstruction manager to provide cost estimating during design and later present a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) when design and budget are aligned. The firm was chosen from four respondents to a qualifications‑based selection process; staff cited Samet’s courthouse experience, including a recent larger courthouse project in Forsyth County, and local experience as reasons for the selection.

Commissioners discussed the project scope and the origin of a previously cited $37 million estimate for the courthouse. Staff said that figure came from the architect and represented an early order‑of‑magnitude estimate and that Samet’s preconstruction role is intended to refine costs and options. Supporters said bringing a construction manager into the design process reduces cost uncertainty by enabling real‑time tradeoffs; opponents urged continued scrutiny of assumptions and future line‑item costs, including furnishings.

The motion to appoint Samet carried 4–1. Commissioners directed staff to continue working with the architect, judges and stakeholders to refine space needs and to return a GMP for approval before final construction commitment.