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Bartholomew County hires firms to test feasibility of proposed Youth and Family Community Connection Center
Summary
The county approved two contracts to assess whether a candidate building can house a Youth and Family Community Connection Center, authorizing Taylor Brothers for a $19,000 program test fit and atelierRISTING for a $42,000 feasibility study; commissioners say a potential building has been identified but is not under contract.
The Bartholomew County Commissioners on Jan. 12 approved two consultant contracts to determine whether an identified building can accommodate a proposed Youth and Family Community Connection Center.
The Board authorized Taylor Brothers Construction Co., Inc. for Phase One construction-manager-at-risk services — a feasibility study and program test fit — at a lump sum of $19,000 for work scheduled from November 2025 through March 2026. Commissioners also approved a separate lump-sum agreement with atelierRISTING, LLC for a feasibility study and conceptual test fits priced at $42,000, with reimbursable expenses capped at $2,000.
Why it matters: the studies are intended to confirm whether the Youth Services program will fit within the existing structure and whether total project costs would stay within the commissioners’ planning figure. Commissioner Tony London said the Board has “explored several options, such as constructing a new building; renovating the existing building; and buying and retrofitting an existing building,” and that they have “found a building that they believe will work, but they need to be sure before committing to it.”
Attorney James Shoaf cautioned that no property is under contract and that the County lacks permission from property owners to disclose details. “We do not have any property under contract, and we don't have permission from the property owners to disclose any information to the public at this time,” he said.
County communications to the public indicated the commissioners have set an internal budget planning figure of $14.5 million for the project. The Taylor Brothers agreement covers initial test-fit services and a Phase Two pre-construction and Phase Three construction scope that remain to be negotiated if the studies support moving forward. The atelierRISTING study will include analysis of the existing building, conceptual plans with options, meetings with the commissioners and relevant court and child support staff, and cost estimates completed in coordination with Taylor Brothers.
The Board approved both contracts unanimously. The studies are to be completed with monthly progress reports; atelierRISTING's deliverable deadline was set for March 2, 2026, in the contract presented.
Next steps: the consultants will complete the feasibility work and report back to the commissioners before any purchase or construction commitments are made.
