South Fulton council approves $58M GMP for fire headquarters and training complex

South Fulton — City officials on July 8 approved a guaranteed‑maximum price (GMP) contract with Catamount Construction for the design and build of the City of South Fulton Fire Headquarters and Public Safety Training Complex.

The council voted unanimously to accept the selection committee’s recommendation and authorize a GMP not to exceed $58,025,000 for the project. The project was presented to council earlier in the evening by General Services Director Greg Dyson and the recommended design–build team led by Mitch Brown of Catamount Construction. The design team described a collaborative preconstruction process, a proposed 18‑month construction duration once mobilized, and a budget that includes contingency and general conditions.

Why it matters: The complex is described in the procurement as the city’s first pair of city‑developed, city‑owned public safety facilities. City staff said the project includes a public safety training campus with classrooms, an auditorium, burn building and driving course, and secure operations space for emergency communications.

What the council heard: Greg Dyson said the procurement began in February and the recommended team was shortlisted and selected following interviews and proposal evaluations. Catamount emphasized prior public‑safety experience in the region, minority subcontractor participation goals and a detailed preconstruction workshop approach. Catamount representatives told council they had added a 10% contingency to the budget during proposal development to address market and site uncertainties.

Councilmembers asked how the design–build team planned to manage supply‑chain risk, site security during construction, and whether the campus would include amenities such as meeting rooms and EV charging. The teams said contingency in the GMP, staged purchasing and active subcontractor management would address many supply risks; they also said the budget covers perimeter construction fencing and that the city could contract night security if needed.

The vote and next steps: The motion to approve the selection committee recommendation passed on a unanimous 7–0 vote. City staff said Catamount will begin the preconstruction phase and work with the city to complete design development, permitting and then commence site work. Councilmembers asked staff to return with follow‑up scheduling and security plans as the project enters preconstruction.