TowerPinkster Architects & Engineers was recommended as the facilitator for two upcoming major projects for Barry County; the county jail and the Commission On Aging.
The commission’s committee of the whole Tuesday recommended a professional services agreement with the firm for its services, not to exceed $50,000, plus reimbursable expenses. The county board is expected vote on the recommendation next week.
Administrator Michael Brown outlined the steps the firm will take following discussion and interviews with the board. They will share information with the county board and the community, but provide no financial campaign services.
“They can‘t encourage votes one way or the other, they understand that,” Brown said. Commissioner Vivian Conner asked where it said TowerPinkster would look at other county facilities that might be used by the COA instead of building new. Commission Chair Ben Geiger that it would be done during the firm’s initial fact gathering and assessment of a 2015 facilities study they did for the county.
In the facility study assessment, TP will look at the assessments in the recent past and see what is still of value to them…and confirm uses for other properties, Brown said.
Asked if TowerPinkster representatives would be at the next meeting, Brown said he would try to make sure they would be there.
According to the agreement, the project’s scope includes an assessment update on county facility costs, data gathering, facilities inspection and walkthrough, facility cost index and public information services.
For planning and public information, TowerPinkster will schedule a kick off meeting, a planning assessment, a visioning session, conceptualizing of plans, incorporating feedback from the community, informing the public of the plans and implementation services. They anticipate a steering committee of local leaders to help during the process.
The vote for the recommendation to approve was unanimous, but Commissioner Jon Smelker added,” If they don’t show up, I’m voting no.” Conner said that was also her opinion. “I just want to make sure that everything is looked at,” Smelker said later.
TowerPinkster will provide implementation services for bond projects, (after a successful election) for design and construction services at a negotiated fee, plus reimbursable expenses.
in addition to Tower Pinkster, four other firms interviewed for the projects: DLZ, BYCE & Associates, BFK Group, and Hooker DeJong/Landmark Design.
