Transportation committee approves CMAR procurement for Bogalusa shelter and three school projects

The Transportation, Highways and Public Works committee voted to authorize the construction-manager-at-risk (CMAR) procurement method for four projects, including a community center emergency shelter in Bogalusa and three school renovation/addition projects in Ascension Parish.

Committee members discussed the procedure and funding before each vote. Chair Borriak opened the meeting and staff said the CMAR approvals under consideration are limited to allowing design and preconstruction services under the CMAR method; full project funding will proceed through the state capital outlay process.

Why it matters: presenters and committee members said CMAR lets project teams involve a construction manager early to help control costs, value-engineer designs and plan construction sequencing for active sites. Wendell Armand, managing member of Sidus Development Collective, introduced his firm’s role on the Bogalusa project, saying, “We are a developer that was hired to oversee the delivery of this project for the city of Bogalusa.” Gerald Bilas, identified as the project architect, added that the approach helps manage cost and constructability.

On statutory authority and funding: members clarified that state statute allows facility planning to authorize design work and that projects may advance under CMAR before full construction dollars are secured. The committee’s purview typically covers projects in the roughly $5,000,000–$15,000,000 range; the Office of Facility Planning and Control handles projects above $15,000,000. Representative Jackson asked, “So you’re saying that a project could hypothetically meet the CMAR threshold and they could come submit to us for CMAR?” Staff and presenters answered that design work can proceed and that a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) would be established later when construction funding is identified.

Project details presented: - Bogalusa community center emergency shelter: presenters told the committee initial capital outlay requests dated to 2014 and that prior per-square-foot estimates were below current market realities; CMAR was recommended so the team can value-engineer the design as costs are clarified. Presenters said design work could proceed to about 30% before seeking construction funding and a GMP. - Dutchtown High School (Ascension Parish): Louis Sab of CSRS and Kenny Ridgetel of the Ascension Parish School Board said voters approved a 2024 bond and that the Dutchtown scope (workforce development renovations and a field house) carries a construction value “over $13,000,000,” which places it in the committee review band. - Gonzales Middle School: Committee members described the middle school project as a substantial campus need; the CMAR procurement was advanced by the committee. - LeBlanc Special Services Center remodel: Representative Wiley described LeBlanc as a long-standing special-needs facility and urged support for the remodel; staff and members noted its community importance.

Votes at a glance: - Authorize CMAR for Bogalusa community center emergency shelter — motion by Representative Phelps; no objections recorded; chair declared approved (SEG 233–236). - Authorize CMAR for Dutchtown High School (Ascension Parish) — motion by Representative Wiley; committee confirmed local bond funds were identified; chair declared approved (SEG 334). - Authorize CMAR for Gonzales Middle School — motion by Representative Wally; brief objection noted on behalf of other stakeholders but no standing objection recorded; chair declared approved (SEG 386–393). - Authorize CMAR for LeBlanc Special Services Center remodel — motion by Representative Wiley; no objections recorded; chair declared approved (SEG 433–438).

Committee next steps and context: approvals on the floor permit teams to procure a construction manager to provide preconstruction services and to proceed with design up to the point where a GMP can be established and construction funding sought through the capital outlay or bond-elevation process. Presenters cited inflation, pandemic-related cost increases and outdated 2014 per-square-foot assumptions as drivers for choosing CMAR to achieve cost control and schedule reliability.

The meeting closed after a motion to adjourn and a request that committee members keep Representative Moore and her family in their prayers.