Walsh County approves Construction Engineers as Construction Manager at Risk for jail project

County staff reported that a December interview panel evaluated four construction-manager-at-risk (CMAR) firms for the Walsh County jail project. The jail committee recommended Construction Engineers (Grand Forks) citing their experience on local correctional projects and emphasis on hiring and coordinating with local contractors. Committee members and commissioners who sat on the interview panel said the firm’s local network and demonstrated follow-up capability were distinguishing points.

A motion to hire Construction Engineers as the CMAR was made and seconded. During the roll-call vote commissioners recorded one dissenting vote and four yes votes: Paul voted No; Christie, Amy, Kenny and Mary voted Yes. Commissioners discussed that in the next phase the CMAR and architect will take the lead on design and monthly coordination; the standing jail committee will likely phase out as the commission takes direct oversight for subsequent hiring and decisions.

Next steps: Construction Engineers will begin preconstruction coordination and present further design and contractor recommendations to the commission; commissioners signaled interest in close oversight and asked for regular updates from the CMAR and architect.