Cole County signs GMP amendment for new juvenile center, schedules March 2027 completion

Cole County commissioners voted Feb. 10 to sign a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) amendment for the county's new juvenile center after hearing a construction update from Navholz, the project's construction manager.

Navholz told the commission that bid day on Jan. 20 produced 122 subcontractor bids, which the project team compiled into "GMP amendment 1" that came in just under $14,000,000. He said bidders were interpreting a consistent set of design documents and that most bids clustered within roughly 10% of each other. Navholz said the on-site schedule is 13 months, allowing lead time for procurement of steel and detention equipment and projecting a finish in March 2027.

The presentation listed three supporting exhibits: a cost breakdown, a list of drawings coordinated with the architect, and a project schedule. Navholz described potential savings being pursued during procurement, including final sprinkler design by the listed sprinkler contractor (currently Summit Mechanical) that could eliminate a fire pump and reduce costs by an estimated $50,000, and several owner-furnished, contractor-installed options that may be managed by county procurement.

Commissioners questioned open items that remain in the GMP, including the site generator. A commissioner noted the county does not have natural gas on-site and that a diesel generator "would be a bit similar to what the sheriff has in terms of, for the jail," and would require startup and testing protocols.

Speaker 4 moved that the commission "sign the guaranteed maximum price schedule, and documents as submitted by Navholz." Speaker 1 seconded; the chair called for a voice vote and recorded the motion as carried.

The county did not include furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) in the GMP package presented; commissioners and staff said those purchases and final packaging will be handled separately. A commissioner also asked that finalized contract copies be circulated and executed; Navholz arranged to have signature copies available.

The commission's action directs staff to complete the GMP amendment paperwork and sign the documents presented at the meeting. Construction management said it will continue to pursue identified savings and finalize procurement for long-lead items.

Next step: execution of the signed GMP amendment and continuing procurement; the construction manager expects on-site work to complete in March 2027.