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Committee advances land purchase, contract increases and $41.5 million note for Cuyahoga County corrections center
Summary
The committee recommended several items to full council related to the county corrections center: a parcel purchase in Garfield Heights (up to $157,000), a PMC contract amendment to extend owners' representative services (bringing the contract to roughly $8.256 million), an increase to HOK's criteria architect contract (to about $13.08 million), and authorization to issue up to $41.5 million in capital improvement notes.
Cuyahoga County’s Public Safety and Justice Affairs Committee on April 29 voted to send several measures to the full council advancing the county’s corrections center project.
Resolution 20250158 would authorize a purchase agreement with Kennicott Brothers Company (or its designee) for an amount not to exceed $157,000 for permanent parcel number 542‑22‑023, an approximately 0.982‑acre parcel in Garfield Heights. Michael Deaver of the Department of Public Works said the parcel provides access to Granger Road and includes existing curb cut and turn‑lane improvements that make purchase more cost‑effective than constructing a new access. Deaver noted historical appropriation proceedings and title irregularities dating to 1978 and said the county negotiated a corrected deed; he asked the committee for a favorable recommendation to proceed.
On Resolution 20250159, Deaver presented an amendment to contract 3995 with Project Management Consultants (PMC) to continue owners' representative services through construction. Deaver said PMC was selected in 2018 and contracted in 2019, and the amendment would add approximately $4,815,000 for this phase, bringing PMC’s total contract to roughly $8,256,000. He said PMC staff include a full‑time project lead and several part‑time specialists and support staff; if construction finishes early, the county will not be billed for unused time. A council member said he felt council had been “kept in the dark” about aspects of the project; Deaver responded that PMC and county staff have held workshops and that PMC (including Jeff Applebaum) will present a more detailed update on June 3.
Resolution 20250160 would amend contract 4400 with Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum (HOK) for criteria architect services. Deaver said HOK was selected in 2021 and the proposed $5,080,000 increase would bring their total contract to about $13,080,000, reflecting scope changes, added features such as a solar farm and a separate professional development center, additional site test fits across candidate sites and an extended schedule. He said HOK will remain on retainer for roughly $500,000 to act as the owner's architect during subsequent design phases. A committee member raised unverified rumors about a gun range at the professional development center; Deaver stated that staff are still finalizing details and would provide updates.
On Resolution 20250166, Mike Chambers of Public Works requested authorization to issue capital improvement notes, series 2025, in a maximum amount of $41,500,000 to fund costs for the correction center facilities. Chambers described the measure as a one‑year note to carry the project through the GMP (guaranteed maximum price) process in 2026, said the request is based on engineer estimates, and noted staff will meet rating agencies as required by code. He said if estimates change the county will return to council with updated borrowing requests.
Each resolution was moved, seconded and advanced to the full council for action. The transcript records voice votes ('Aye') but does not include detailed roll‑call tallies.
Next steps: PMC and HOK are scheduled to present more detailed project updates at upcoming meetings (PMC presentation noted for June 3); the financing measure and contract amendments will go to full council for final consideration.
