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Court approves $3.03 million guaranteed maximum price for elections facility in Seguin
Summary
After a contractor presentation and questions about sewer, landscaping and design options, the court approved a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) amendment of $3,026,537 for renovation and a new warehouse addition to the former USDA building at 3521 N. Highway 123 Bypass in Seguin. Commissioners discussed options to trim about $110,000 from the budget and noted city requirements increased project costs.
Guadalupe County commissioners on Aug. 13 approved a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) amendment of $3,026,537 to the construction manager‑at‑risk contract with the Kahler Company for renovation of the county‑owned building at 3521 North Highway 123 Bypass in Seguin and construction of an attached warehouse for elections storage and operations.
Representatives from the contractor and Level 5 Architecture presented project drawings showing about 7,800 square feet of existing building and roughly 3,400 square feet of new warehouse space (about 11,000 square feet total) and explained design choices intended to meet 10‑ to 20‑year storage and program needs. The contractor said the "base guaranteed maximum price is $3,026,537," noting the earlier April estimate near $2.4 million and listing city requirements that raised cost estimates — notably a required sewer extension of roughly 500 lineal feet and additional landscaping and sidewalk requirements.
Project staff and commissioners discussed cost‑saving options the team identified — including deleting a seal coat for the existing parking lot (about $13,100 savings), alternate light fixtures (about $17,000), leaving some existing ceiling tiles (about $8,000), choosing exposed versus concealed metal panel fasteners (about $8,400), or removing the stone wainscot on the existing building — and said those options could reduce the GMP by roughly $100,000–$110,000 if selected. The contractor said about $103,540 had been allocated in contingencies that would return to the bottom line if unused.
Commissioners also questioned whether the county could avoid tying into a city sewer by expanding on‑site septic but were told by staff that the city code requires a sewer connection when adding new restrooms or new building functions. The city of Seguin later indicated it would waive the sidewalk fee, a development commissioners welcomed and said could help reduce the county’s out‑of‑pocket costs.
After further operational and timing questions, and noting that permit rounds and schedule placed construction start near spring 2025, the court moved and approved the GMP amendment as presented. Staff said furniture, fixtures and specialized equipment (shelving, cabinetry) were not included in the GMP and would be budgeted separately.
