Commission approves $1.73M design contract for Shelby County Mental Health Safety & Justice Center after heated debate

The Shelby County Commission voted to approve a professional‑services contract with A2H Inc. not to exceed $1,733,000 for architectural and engineering design of a Mental Health Safety & Justice Center. Administration officials said the work is time‑sensitive because ARPA funds must be obligated by the end of the year.

Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Dorcas Young Griffin and Public Works Director Cliff Norville described the selection process and warned that the federal timeline leaves little margin for delay. Griffin said the mayor selected A2H under professional‑services procurement authority and that the package includes 25% subcontract participation for minority firms (an increase from 10% in the prior iteration). “We do have the requirement to obligate all ARPA funds by 12/31/2024,” Griffin said. Public-works staff said the design work must be under contract quickly to keep construction on track for the 2026 completion deadline.

Opponents questioned the procurement route and whether the selection process had disadvantaged a local minority‑owned firm (Self Tucker Architects), noting the earlier procurement had failed and scores were similar. Commissioner Britney Thornton pressed for clarity on increased minority subcontracting and the administration’s justification; Cliff Norville said the county selected the team most likely to meet the compressed schedule. Critics also warned the project competes with other county priorities — including urgent repairs at the county jail — and urged more analysis of trade‑offs.

After extended debate, the commission approved the design contract with a 9–3 recorded vote. The administration said this step will be followed by a construction contract returned for approval; staff noted that failing the construction vote would still leave the county with the obligation timing challenge on ARPA funds.