Selection board shortlists JLG and Alliance for U of M Saint Paul Campus Center design

The State Designer Selection Board voted Feb. 17 to select JLG and Alliance as the two firms from which the University of Minnesota may choose the designer for the Saint Paul Campus Center.

A board member, referring to the three finalist presentations, said the panel "felt, after some discussion that Alliance and JLG offered us the best paths moving forward," adding that "JLG specifically leaned into the existing work of the pre design a little stronger while still offering some fresh eyes and some innovative ideas that I think we were excited about." The member also said Alliance demonstrated depth and flexibility in its proposal.

At a formal roll call, the executive secretary announced vote totals: JLG received three votes, Alliance received four and Miller Dunwiddie Architecture received one. The board declared JLG and Alliance selected as the two firms to be advanced for the university's designer selection.

Chair congratulated the shortlisted firms and noted that the university will now choose the designer from among those two firms for the Saint Paul Campus Center. The board took no further substantive action; members briefly discussed sending a get-well card to an individual named Bill before the chair adjourned the meeting, stating the next meeting date is to be determined.

The selection is a shortlist rather than a final contract award: the university retains authority to name the final designer from the two selected firms.