Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Facilities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Architect: Seaway Center feasible for combined health department–diversion center; board accepts clerical fee correction
Summary
EGH Architects updated the board on the county's plan to renovate a Seaway Road building for a combined health department and diversion center, flagged a clerical error in a previously issued fee amendment, and the board approved reverting the fee calculation to the original renovation-based formula.
David Hardy of EGH Architects PA updated the Harrison County Board of Supervisors on plans to repurpose the former Seaway Center at 14055 Seaway Road as a combined county health department and diversion center.
Hardy said the firm completed a lidar scan and an existing-conditions assessment for what he described as a roughly 38,000-square-foot building (as presented to the board). He said EGH delivered schematic plans last week to Michael Whitehead, director of the state health department program on site, and to Mona Gautier, director of Pine Belt Mental Health, who would operate respective programs in the facility; the county was awaiting their formal concurrence.
Hardy told the board that an amendment drafted for the project inadvertently used a new-build fee calculation rather than the renovation fee in the original contract; the renovation fee includes an approximately 15% addition for existing-condition review, which the team had performed. He recommended that the amendment be corrected by striking the inadvertent new-build fee revision and reverting to the original renovation fee basis.
Hardy described a major mechanical issue identified in the building: waiting-room areas lacked outside air intake and relied on recirculated air, a deficiency the team proposes to remedy as part of the renovation. He gave a rough order-of-magnitude renovation estimate that, as presented, would fall between about $210 and $250 per square foot after mechanical and envelope upgrades.
A supervisor moved to accept the clerical correction so that the fee reverts to the original renovation-based calculation; the motion was seconded and the board approved it on the record with “aye” votes. The transcript does not record a roll-call tally.
Why it matters: The county’s decision to renovate an existing building rather than pursue a new build affects project scope, architect fees and cost estimates. The health department’s formal concurrence is on the project’s critical path before mechanical design work proceeds.
Next steps: The county will seek written concurrence from the health department and Pine Belt Mental Health on the presented plans; EGH said it would follow up so its mechanical (MEP) team can proceed as soon as county and program staff approve the layout and equipment plans.
