Dana of Inside Architects says Gold Dust road facility will be substantially complete by March 13

Dana, a representative of Inside Architects, told Valley County commissioners at a February workshop that the Gold Dust road department facility should be "substantially complete" on March 13, meaning only minor contractor punch-list work would remain and the county could begin using the building.

The county Chair praised the project team, saying the facility "will serve the county for many generations to come," and participants credited Inside Architects and contractor Stroh General for minimal change orders and careful project management. Dana said consultants and the architect team will provide a one-year warranty walkthrough in 2027 to confirm outstanding items are addressed.

County staff and commissioners set a substantial-completion walkthrough for March 13. Road director Dietrich is planning to attend, Dana said, and the mechanical engineer will be on site that day. The electrical engineer, Jeff Johnson, is expected to attend a separate punch-list review on March 16, Dana said, and she will coordinate scheduling with the contractor, the building inspector and the fire department to secure inspections and the certificate of occupancy.

"The date right now is March 13 to be substantially complete," Dana said, adding that the primary schedule risk is completing the electrical work. She also noted some county IT work may be needed before full operations begin.

On inspection and occupancy, Dana said the building inspector must sign off before a permanent certificate of occupancy is issued; there is the potential for a temporary certificate if certain items remain unresolved, but Dana expressed the expectation that the inspector and contractor will complete necessary work around the walkthrough.

Participants discussed moving logistics for the road department. A staff member described weekly planning meetings with Kirsten and other staff and said there would be a brief period of service disruption during physical relocation: "we're just gonna have to shut the phones down, shut the fuel pump down" for a few days while disconnecting and re-siting equipment. The staff member said contractors such as Rocky Mountain Crane or Inland and fuel companies would be engaged to pump out remaining fuel and support heavy lifting.

Staff gave details about the site fuel tank and pump-out logistics, saying the tank would weigh about 36,000 pounds when full and is an above-ground double-wall concrete unit. The staff member estimated pump-out charges at roughly $150 per hour and said crews would remove ladders and vent pipes to move the tank under power lines if required.

Several participants offered moving assistance: one commissioner offered a 14-by-7 dump trailer for small loads, and staff reported boxes were already packed and labeled and that a larger hauling rig would be arranged for heavy equipment.

The meeting closed with commissioners expressing appreciation for the architects and contractor and a brief break before the next agenda item. Dana and county staff will continue coordinating inspections, the punch-list review, and the March walkthrough ahead of facility turnover.