Commission approves up-to-$803,475 design contract for Howard School sports facility

The Hamilton County Commission approved resolution 11 25-25 on Nov. 19 to authorize the county mayor to enter a contract with Franklin Associates Architects Inc. for design work on an indoor sports practice facility at Howard School, together with HVAC, theater and security fencing improvements, for an amount not to exceed $803,475.

Commissioners asked staff about the envisioned facility size and whether the design cost was reasonable. Commissioner Sharp said he had "no intention of not supporting this" but asked whether the $800,000 was appropriate for a 25,000-square-foot facility and whether materials (brick, etc.) were anticipated to drive cost. Project staff (Mister Lehman) said the project has multiple components beyond the indoor practice facility — HVAC, theater modifications and fencing — and that the design contract is based on a state fee curve linking design fees to the estimated construction budget. Lehman cautioned that construction budget and final scope will be refined during the design phase.

The commission approved the resolution on a unanimous roll-call vote after motions by Commissioner Graham and a second by Commissioner Shipley. Commissioner Graham noted funding for the theater project is included in the same resolution and said he has been working with theater stakeholders.

What’s next: County staff will proceed with the design contract under the state fee curve; construction budget and phasing will be developed during design and brought back to the commission as needed.