Bluff project manager: architects to visit this week; firm to prioritize code work to secure occupancy

Project Manager Malia Collins told the Bluff Town Council on Feb. 4 that Uncommon Architects had submitted a standard AIA agreement that staff and legal counsel were reviewing and that the firm will be in town Thursday to take measurements and discuss project priorities.

"They're gonna be getting some measurements, and we're gonna chat with them about what we're seeing and what we're wanting," Collins said. She said staff and the DRC have asked the firm to prioritize code compliance, HVAC, fire suppression and environmental mitigation (asbestos) as an initial scope to keep the project within the grant budget and to help the building reach a certificate of occupancy.

Collins described a two‑phase approach: a Phase 1 focused on "getting the bare bones completed" so the building is usable and can obtain occupancy, and a Phase 2 for additional funding to complete condominiumization, final finishes, furnishings and tenant fit‑out. Councilors stressed that finishing work should not use limited grant funds needed for core systems. As Collins said, architects can propose high‑cost schemes "that end up, oh no, we can't afford most of that," so the town is asking for a lean first phase.

Council members and staff also discussed logistics for the DRC visit. Collins said design review committee meetings are generally open but that the Thursday session will be non‑participatory for members of the public so the DRC can work through technical items without the meeting becoming unwieldy. She said the session will be posted and council members who intend to attend should notify staff so the visit can be posted properly.

Funding uncertainty was raised in the same segment: staff reminded the council that the EPA government‑to‑government grant is currently on hold and that contract language should include a provision allowing the town to void or modify agreements if federal funding is not available.

No formal contract was approved at the meeting. Collins said she will circulate the edited AIA agreement after counsel and staff finish their review and will share the DRC meeting summary and related notes with the council after the Thursday site visit.

Next steps: staff will finalize contract edits with counsel, host the scheduled DRC/architect site visit, and circulate the edited agreement and DRC notes to council members for follow‑up.