The Scranton SD board voted Dec. 29 to appoint Studio KLP as the architect for the 1509 Maple Street project, with the contract contingent on solicitor review and preliminary engineering costs capped at $15,000.

Speaker 4 moved to appoint Studio KLP and Speaker 1 seconded. Directors raised concerns that the board lacked a cost estimate and would be authorizing architectural services before a construction cost proposal returned. "It's basically writing a blank check without having any idea of what the financial obligation will be," Speaker 8 said.

Staff and members explained the urgency: the district is in a due-diligence period tied to a potential transaction involving the Friendship House property and Quandell, and the vendor said it could not proceed without certified plans or preliminary engineering. Speaker 9 recommended a capped, hourly preliminary engineering engagement of perhaps 10–50 hours (ballpark $10,000–$15,000) so the architect could produce the certified plans needed for permits and inspections.

The board agreed to a friendly amendment capping preliminary engineering at $15,000 prior to receiving a full proposal and solicitor review; Speaker 2 confirmed the amendment and Speaker 1 seconded the amended motion. A roll-call vote recorded affirmative votes from the directors present and the chair announced the motion carried.

Next steps identified included solicitor review of the architect contract and return of the full proposal and cost estimates to the board before construction proceeds.