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Olmsted County approves three prime contracts for Graham Park Exhibition Center
Summary
The Olmsted County Board voted to award three prime construction contracts for the Graham Park Exhibition Center and discussed schedule milestones intended to deliver portions of the site ahead of the 2026 fair.
The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners voted to award three prime contracts for construction of the Graham Park Exhibition Center, moving the project into construction with interim milestones intended to deliver outdoor program areas before the 2026 county fair.
County staff presented the three bids under a best-value procurement that considered factors beyond price. "We use the best value process for this solicitation, and what that allows us to do is evaluate contractors or vendors on more than just price," a county staff member told commissioners. Staff said price was a component of the evaluation but not the only scoring factor.
The staff presentation outlined the construction schedule: a groundbreaking in the next few weeks and substantial completion targeted around Jan. 1, 2027, with interim elements such as an activity pad and a program support plaza staged so portions can be used during the 2026 fair. "Unfortunately, the Exhibition Center won't be ready before the 2026 fair, so it's gonna create some challenges for planning next year's fair," the staff member said.
A motion was made to approve the three separate contracts — general construction, mechanical, and electrical — as listed in the board packet. The motion was seconded and the board approved it. The board did not read a roll-call vote or provide an individual vote tally in the transcript; the board chair called for the ayes and the motion carried.
Why it matters: the exhibition center is a county capital project with a multi-year schedule and impacts to the county fair and downtown-area logistics. Awarding contracts starts the construction phase and sets interim delivery expectations intended to limit disruption to 2026 fair operations.
Details and next steps: staff indicated a near-term groundbreaking and noted interim milestones intended to make outdoor fair areas available in 2026. The board did not amend the contract awards during the meeting and no amendments were recorded.
Votes at the meeting were recorded as a motion, a second and the chair calling for ayes; the transcript does not include a roll-call tally or named vote record.
