Hall County hears Davis Design update and public concern as board weighs construction-manager-at-risk approach

The county’s Davis Design representative (speaker S3) updated the Hall County Board on the courthouse addition project and answered commissioners’ questions about procurement and schedule.

The presenter said soil borings and lab testing were complete, an addendum to the request for proposals was published and the pre-proposal conference was scheduled to let potential construction managers view the historic building and raise questions. The due date for proposals was pushed back two days to give managers more notice; the team expects to select a construction manager ahead of the July 2 board meeting.

Commissioners debated whether to use a construction-manager-at-risk (CMR) model — which involves hiring a manager early who will later solicit subcontractor bids and help set a guaranteed maximum price — versus a design-bid-build approach. A Davis Design representative said CMR could reduce schedule delay with conservative estimates showing roughly one month of time savings but that it could add an estimated $1.3 million in premium costs compared with design-bid-build. Commissioners asked about public record access, committee involvement and how subcontractor bids would be handled; staff and the presenter said subcontractor bid packages are typically managed by the selected construction manager but that selection committees and the board would review recommendations and could insist on oversight.

Public commenters raised strong concerns about cost, scope and voter input. One resident asked where the addition would sit and whether Pine Street would be closed; another urged the board to step back and compare alternative designs and cost estimates rather than proceed quickly. Board members replied with location and process clarifications and stressed that a committee would make recommendations to streamline decision-making.

Why it matters: The courthouse addition is the largest capital project on the board’s agenda and could materially affect county debt levels and taxpayers’ burden. The procurement method (CMR versus design-bid-build), committee oversight and public acceptance will shape cost, timeline and transparency.

What’s next: Davis Design expects to proceed with the pre-proposal conference; the selection process is scheduled to return to the board (potentially July 2) for interviews and final selection.