Apple Valley council approves guarantees for $10.5 million community-center construction contract

The Apple Valley City Council approved a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) amendment with Terra Construction and an amendment to JLG Architects’ professional services agreement at its May meeting, advancing a long-planned renovation and connection of the Apple Valley Community Center and Senior Center.

City staff presented the project as the final signature item from the parks bond referendum. Eric Carlson, the staff presenter, said construction is expected to begin in June 2026 with substantial completion targeted for the fall of 2027. Carlson described the work as a reconfiguration and connection of two existing buildings to create a central entrance, an indoor playground (Voyager’s), a larger senior coffee lounge, a small fitness room aimed at older adults and additional programming space.

On costs, Carlson said the city is asking the council to approve a GMP with Terra Construction of $10,528,253. He noted additional city-held costs outside the GMP for professional services and FF&E of about $3,200,000, which staff said brings the project budget to roughly $13,800,000. Carlson told the council a 5% contingency (about $450,000) is included to cover anticipated change orders and an outstanding electrical transformer sizing issue that will be addressed with a later contract amendment if needed.

Staff also requested a $201,543 contract amendment for JLG Architects tied to the design-development estimate. The amendment increases the architect’s fee by $201,543; the transcript does not clearly state JLG’s revised contract total.

Councilmembers asked whether the GMP was “locked in” and how change orders would be handled. Carlson said change orders are expected during construction and reiterated the contingency funds and the city’s plan to manage change orders within the project budget. He also summarized the parks referendum financing status, saying the referendum portfolio stands at about $80 million and that staff is confident the city can complete the remaining projects.

The council moved and seconded the GMP and the JLG amendment (motion recorded as by Council Member Melander, second by Council Member Hebert) and approved both measures by voice vote; the transcript records affirmative 'Aye' responses but does not provide a roll-call tally by name.

Next steps: staff will finalize GMP paperwork with Terra and bring any required contract amendments (for items such as the transformer) back to the council for approval. Construction timelines and access impacts will be posted to city channels as the project proceeds.