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Brazos County approves $59 million GMP for Courthouse Annex after questions about design allowances
Summary
After public and commissioner questions about provisional allowances and exclusions, the court voted to approve a $59,000,000 guaranteed maximum price (GMP) amendment for the Brazos County Courthouse Annex construction manager at‑risk contract with Spall Glass Construction.
Brazos County commissioners voted March 24 to approve an amendment that sets a $59,000,000 guaranteed maximum price (GMP) proposal for the Courthouse Annex construction manager at‑risk contract with Spall Glass Construction.
The proposal drew public scrutiny and technical questions before the vote. Peter Michelino, a project commenter, urged caution: “If the design is not completed, but we’re coming up with a guaranteed maximum price, I’m not sure how that really correlates,” he said, noting numerous allowances and exclusions in addenda and warning that site‑condition costs (rock excavation, buried structures, utility conflicts) and items excluded from the GMP could shift costs back to the county.
Trevor Lansdowne, director of project management for the county, described the CMAR (construction manager at risk) approach and said bringing the contractor into the design phase reduces change orders. “As they go and contract subcontractors for those specific scopes of work, they will present…best value,” Lansdowne said, explaining buy‑out savings and how the buy‑out process can return savings to the county.
Commissioners asked for clarity on contingencies, provisional allowances and exclusions such as asbestos abatement and certain site remediation items; Lansdowne and staff said those items are commonly handled by county contracts or commissioning agents and that the GMP reflects pricing for the design as developed to date. The court recorded one opposing vote and the amendment passed.
Why it matters: The annex is a major capital project for the county (annex at 101 North, attached parking garage, secure bridge to courthouse). Approval of the GMP allows Spall Glass to proceed to construction procurement steps and helps set the project's financing and schedule (notice to proceed targeted for early April and a two‑year construction window were discussed in the presentation).
Next steps: Staff will move forward on GMP procurement buy‑outs and sequencing; commissioners and staff said they will continue oversight of allowances and change‑order risk during construction.
