James City County OKs $46 million first phase for consolidated government center and hires construction manager

The James City County Board of Supervisors on a unanimous roll call vote approved a resolution authorizing the county administrator to enter a first-phase comprehensive agreement for a consolidated government center and library, with phase-one costs not to exceed $46,000,000 and an anticipated total project budget capped at $179,000,000.

Brad Ryan, presenting the staff recommendation, said the initial phase will cover preordering steel and early trades work including concrete, plumbing, HVAC and electrical so that construction can begin in the coming months. Funding for the phase, Ryan said, was previously authorized in the county's capital improvement program.

The board also approved a separate contract award to serve as the project's construction manager. After a competitive RFP and interview process, staff recommended McDonough, Bolliard & Peck Inc. (referred to in the meeting as MVP) to provide on-site project management, enhanced commissioning, special inspections and materials testing for a cost not to exceed $1,782,523.

County leaders described the selection process as competitive: eight proposals were received, narrowed to three for interviews and to two after written assignments. The construction-management contract was presented as necessary to provide day-to-day oversight that staff cannot fulfill internally as work moves into construction.

The board moved and approved both the resolution authorizing the phase-one agreement and the construction-management award by roll call. No motions to defer were recorded.

Next steps identified in the discussion include contract execution and the start of early construction activities; separate board actions will be required for future phases and to set final fee structures or contracts tied to the overall project.

The resolution passed on the board's voice/roll-call vote; staff said previously approved CIP funding covers the phase.