Johnstown council awards Public Safety Building design contract to UpStreet in 5–2 vote

The Johnstown City Council voted 5–2 on Feb. 18 to award a $380,800 contract to UpStreet for architectural and engineering design services on the Johnstown Public Safety Building. Council member Charles Arnone moved to award the contract; Nicolas Spinelli seconded the motion, which carried with Mayor Sylvia King, Arnone, Taylor Clark, Spinelli and Lorraine Brandon-Taylor voting yes and Samuel Barber and Michael Hamacek voting no.

City Manager Art Martynuska told the council that the RFP prioritized elevator, HVAC, electrical, plumbing and roofing work and that three firms submitted proposals: Kimmel Associates ($264,320), UpStreet ($380,800) and EADS ($419,000). Staff and an independent architect used a scoring matrix that rated relevant project experience with federal and state agencies, engineering strength, project team, knowledge of the City, prior city project success and fees. Martynuska said the matrix produced totals of UpStreet 33 points, EADS 29 and Kimmel 25, and he recommended UpStreet based on that evaluation and the firm’s prior city work.

Council member Samuel Barber objected to choosing the higher-priced proposal, noting that Kimmel listed more than 100 municipal projects and that Kimmel’s projects historically averaged less than 1 percent in change orders. Barber said those factors weighed in favor of Kimmel’s lower bid. Martynuska and other council members countered that Kimmel’s submission contained too many unknowns and that UpStreet provided a more detailed breakdown and demonstrated city-specific experience, including work on Central Park. Assistant City Manager Mike Capriotti confirmed UpStreet completed the Fireman’s Memorial Park project; Martynuska added UpStreet’s work had produced relatively few contract changes.

The council’s vote followed that exchange. The motion to award UpStreet the contract was made by Charles Arnone and seconded by Nicolas Spinelli. The official tally recorded five affirmative votes and two negatives. The resolution adopting the contract award was listed on the meeting agenda as Resolution No. 10756.

During public comment on the agenda item, resident John DeBartola urged the council to pass Resolution 10756 and asked for more transparency on costs, bidding firms and the scope of repairs; he also said he had been told the ARPA deadline for the building’s funding had been extended from Sept. 30, 2026 to Nov. 30, 2026. The council did not provide documentation of that extension during the meeting.

Next steps: with the resolution passed, staff may finalize contract paperwork with UpStreet and proceed to the design phase. The council adjourned the special meeting at 5:44 p.m. and entered an executive session on personnel matters.