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Nelson County restores $5,000 to DSS design contract to include fire sprinkler main drawings for Tanbark Plaza site
Summary
The Board unanimously approved adding $5,000 to the PMA Architecture contract to include mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP) design for a new fire sprinkler main at the proposed Department of Social Services site at 37 Tanbark Plaza, a step county staff said is needed to ensure a functional interior layout and safer bid documents.
Nelson County supervisors unanimously approved Sept. 10 restoring $5,000 to a design contract so mechanical engineers will include specifications and drawings for a new fire sprinkler main at the county’s proposed Department of Social Services (DSS) building at 37 Tanbark Plaza in Lovingston.
County Administrator Candice McGarry reminded the Board the purchase agreement for 37 Tanbark Plaza (authorized earlier by the Board) carries a $775,000 price and settlement remains contingent on due diligence and title review. Staff has estimated the Tanbark site will be roughly $1 million more cost-efficient overall for the county than the alternate Callohill Drive option once site-development factors are included.
PMA Architecture had its Amendment #6 previously reduced; the Board voted to add the $5,000 MEP scope back into Amendment #6 to require the mechanical engineer to prepare drawings and specifications for the existing/new fire sprinkler main as part of the bid documents. Staff and the county building official recommended the addition, saying the sprinkler main already exists on site and including its design would allow for a less constrained interior plan — avoiding the need for fire‑rated corridors and automatic door closures — and produce more complete construction documents for bidders.
Supervisor Jesse Rutherford and Dr. Jessica L. Ligon both voiced support for re‑instating the $5,000 scope, and the motion passed by roll call vote (3–0). McGarry said design meetings are resuming and the county will continue due diligence and title work during the next 8–12 weeks before settlement.
The Board did not change the previously discussed high-level funding plan: staff recommended funding the purchase partially with Bond Anticipation Note proceeds and existing unallocated Capital Fund reserves if needed. The county provided no additional financing vote on Sept. 10; future budget or bond actions will come back to the Board for approval.
What happens next: PMA will update contract documents to include the MEP drawings for the sprinkler main; county staff continue title and site due-diligence; design meetings are scheduled to resume immediately.
