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North Kansas City Schools board lines up construction manager and three architects as part of April bond preparations
Summary
The North Kansas City Schools Board of Education on Jan. 14 approved McCownGordon Construction as the district—s construction manager at risk and selected three architecture firms to support projects included in a proposed April 8 bond.
The North Kansas City Schools Board of Education on Jan. 14 approved McCownGordon Construction as the district—s construction manager at risk and selected three architectural design teams to support projects the district would pursue if voters pass a bond on April 8.
Administrators said the approvals are intended to position the district to begin design and early work immediately if the bond passes. The board formally approved McCownGordon after the district completed a multi-step selection process that included a qualifications review, request for proposals and an interview held at a special board meeting on Jan. 7. The board also approved Hollis & Miller Architects, DLR Group and Insight Design Studio as the top three architectural firms for the district—s long-range facilities work.
Why it matters: district leaders told the board the selections are meant to ensure the district can begin Phase 1 of the long-range facilities plan quickly after a successful bond. The bond package presented to the board, titled "Every Student, Every Stage," would fund fine and performing arts centers at high schools, renovations at middle schools (starting with Northgate and Maple Park), an Oakwood Manor addition and renovations, purchase of the Northland Innovation Center (currently leased) and districtwide maintenance and safety projects.
What the board approved and how: a motion to name McCownGordon as construction manager at risk was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote. The board later moved and seconded a motion to approve the three architectural teams; that motion also passed by voice vote.
Board and staff comments: district staff said only one construction-manager qualification package was submitted; staff proceeded with the full evaluation process required by board policy and recommended the incumbent firm, which has worked with the district for five years. Board members asked whether the firm had been on time and on budget; staff reported the firm has met schedule and budget expectations over the last five years.
Votes at a glance (formal board actions recorded at the Jan. 14 meeting): - Motion: Approve the meeting agenda as presented. Outcome: approved by voice vote. (No roll-call tally provided in the transcript.) - Motion: Approve the consent agenda as presented (includes minutes and treasurer—s report). Outcome: approved by voice vote. (No roll-call tally provided in the transcript.) - Motion: Approve McCownGordon Construction as the Construction Manager at Risk for 2025 bond projects. Outcome: approved by voice vote. (Motion moved/seconded; names of mover/second not specified in the public transcript.) - Motion: Approve Hollis & Miller, DLR Group and Insight Design Studio as the top three architectural design firms. Outcome: approved by voice vote. (Motion moved/seconded; names of mover/second not specified in the public transcript.)
What—s next: district staff said the bond campaign team will continue community outreach ahead of the April 8 election and will begin work with the selected firms on planning and preliminary design if the bond passes.
Provenance: District staff introduced the CMR recommendation beginning with the construction-manager presentation; the architectural recommendations and the bond presentation followed in the same agenda block.
