Alamance County hires Samet as preconstruction manager for courthouse project

Alamance County commissioners approved a preconstruction contract with Samet (presented as "Samet" in the meeting) to serve as the construction manager for the county's proposed courthouse project.

Staff said the selection followed a request for qualifications and interviews with four firms. Samet was recommended based on local experience and a record of courthouse projects; staff noted Samet recently completed a larger courthouse project in Forsyth County and had relevant expertise with courtroom acoustics, security and courthouse operations.

The approved contract secures Samet's preconstruction services. Under the arrangement, Samet will participate in the design process, provide cost estimating and value‑engineering advice, and prepare a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) when design is complete. County staff emphasized the vote is not a commitment to a final construction cost; the GMP will return to the board for approval. Commissioners and staff said the preconstruction work is intended to reduce cost risk by enabling iterative design and cost estimating.

Commissioner discussion included questions about how the $37 million estimate was reached and the level of detail in prior cost work; staff and the selected firm said Samet's preconstruction role is intended to refine costs and present a GMP to the board for a future vote. Commissioners approved the contract by voice vote.

Next steps: Samet will begin preconstruction work, meet with judges and court staff to finalize programmatic requirements, and work with the architect to refine cost estimates. A GMP and construction contract will be returned to the board for approval before construction begins.