Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoo Project topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves preconstruction, design contracts funded by Sunset Zoo Trust for new Lemur and Americas exhibit
Summary
The commission unanimously approved a $10,000 phase‑1 construction manager-at-risk agreement with McCownGordon, a $5,561,442 design contract with Anderson Knight Architects, and a funding agreement with the Sunset Zoo Trust, which pledged to cover the preconstruction and professional fees.
The Manhattan City Commission voted 5–0 to approve phase‑1 preconstruction services and design agreements for the Sunset Zoo Lemur and Americas exhibit after the Sunset Zoological Park and Wildlife Conservation Trust pledged to pay the preconstruction and professional fees.
Aaron Stewart, Manhattan Parks & Recreation director, told commissioners the solicitation drew six proposals, the selection committee interviewed the top three and recommended McCownGordon Construction as the construction manager at risk. Stewart summarized the recommended agreements as "$10,000 to McCownGordon for phase 1 services" and a professional services agreement of "$5,561,442" with Anderson Knight Architects for design work. He said the trust has pledged to cover both agreements and staff will take the project from a 30% design to a 70% design before returning with a guaranteed maximum price for phase 2.
When a commissioner asked what would happen if the trust does not fully fund the project, Stewart said the trust intends to fund the entire project and staff will not undertake later phases unless pledges or funds are in hand. Stewart provided order-of-magnitude estimates, saying phase 1 is "about $4,500,000" and the total across phases is approximately "$7,580,000." The commission approved the construction manager-at-risk agreement, the professional services agreement, and the project funding agreement by unanimous roll call.
