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Burke County authorizes contract negotiation with Holland & Hamrick for HRC renovation
Summary
The board authorized the county manager to negotiate and execute a contract with Holland & Hamrick Architects, PA for design and civil engineering services for the Health & Human Services (HRC) renovation, approving the RFQ selection and authorizing a fallback to Sizemore Group if negotiations fail.
The Burke County Board of Commissioners authorized on June 16 the county manager to negotiate and execute a contract with Holland & Hamrick Architects, PA for architectural and civil engineering services for the Health & Human Services building renovation (the HRC project).
County Manager Brian Manning reviewed a multiyear capital plan and said the 62,000‑square‑foot HRC building requires major modernization. Manning described four options considered — new construction, addition and adaptive reuse, separation of departments and a phased adaptive reuse — and said the board’s staff recommended a phased adaptive reuse to maximize existing structural capacity while limiting cost and disruption.
Manning said five firms responded to the RFQ; a selection committee shortlisted Sizemore Group and Holland & Hamrick. After interviews the committee recommended Holland & Hamrick, citing in‑house construction administration and public‑sector experience. "They eliminate surprises; we stay on time and on budget," Manning said of the recommended firm.
A commissioner moved to authorize the manager to negotiate and execute a contract with Holland & Hamrick Architects, PA, subject to county attorney review, and to allow negotiations with Sizemore Group if an agreement with Holland & Hamrick cannot be reached. The motion passed unanimously (4–0).
Manning estimated the design and construction timeline would be roughly 18 months of design and implementation with substantial completion targeted around Dec. 31, 2027, and noted the county has applied for federal and state support while recognizing the project may require debt financing. He also described logistical phasing because the building must remain in use during much of the renovation.
The board’s approval empowers staff to finalize contract terms with the selected firm and return with procurement and construction schedules and financing recommendations.
