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Cumberland County approves schematic design and several contracts for new unhoused support center; schematic estimate exceeds budget
Summary
Commissioners approved schematic design deliverables for an unhoused support center, authorized a contracts package with a local operator and amended the architect agreement through design‑development, while staff reported the schematic estimate exceeds the $14 million budget and will undergo target‑value design.
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners approved schematic design deliverables on June 15 for a proposed unhoused support center and authorized contract actions to advance design and operations planning — even as staff reported the schematic construction estimate exceeds the project's current $14 million budget.
Design and program: The schematic design presented by LS3P and county staff lays out a reception area and a courtyard, with sleeping wings for families (8 beds), women (32 beds) and men (62 beds) plus one isolation room. The schematic includes bunk beds in the men's and women's wings and program space for intake, case management and on‑site services.
Budget status: Jonathan Best (project advisor) told commissioners the board's approved project budget is $14 million. The schematic estimate reported in packet materials was listed as "15,692,69" (formatted in the record), producing a budget delta described in the schematic materials and a proposed target‑value design (value‑engineering) package of roughly 1,468,721 to reduce the gap; staff said that process should narrow the overrun toward an approximately $223,000 shortfall under the stated approach.
Contracts and procurement actions: the board approved several contract steps: (1) authorization for the county to finalize a service agreement with Mana Dream Center to participate in pre‑ and post‑operational services (operator input has been part of schematic work); (2) an amendment to LS3P's agreement to carry the project into design‑development (commissioner Adams recorded his opposition to some approvals); and (3) an extension of Bar & Bar's contract through August 2027 (no additional dollars). The board approved schematic deliverables but recorded divided votes on some items: schematic approval passed with several commissioners voting against; the LS3P amendment for design development passed by majority with one dissent.
Why the board moved forward: commissioners emphasized the need to keep the project on schedule while using the target‑value design process to align costs with the approved budget. Vice Chairman Jones urged a deliberate value‑engineering approach and thanked the local nonprofit operator for early engagement.
Next steps: staff will lead a target‑value design exercise with LS3P and contractors to identify savings and align the scheme with the authorized budget, complete required due diligence (Phase II environmental and civil engineering work already underway), and return cost‑refined construction documents for further approvals.
