(KNSI) – Police records have been digitized, storage closets are emptied, and soon, computer stations will be on the move from Waite Park City Hall.
While renovations are underway, the administration and police department are relocating to the public works building. The project is an experiment. Administrator Shaunna Johnson says Waite Park will use the Construction Manager at Risk, or CMAR, model for the first time ever. It is more hands-on, bringing in the manager early. As proof, expect three bid packages to go before the council next month.
“They go out and work right directly with our architects on the design of some of those kinds of things, and get involved early on in the process, which is always a great thing, because there’s lots of ways that you can save money that way, when you involve both of those parties that way.”
Bradbury Stamm must cap the project cost at $28.5 million, hoping to complete it for less. Renovations should be wrapped up in about 16 months.
The only staff left at Waite Park City Hall will be the fire department. In addition to relocating administration and police, the senior center moves to Community Park on April 16th. For political mavens, even council meetings will take on a new setting. Johnson says the District 742 Administration Office will soon host more than the school board.
“Right there on Second Street South is where it’ll be. Both our city council and our planning commission meetings will be held there. We will be moving our planning commission meetings, which have always been, I think it’s the second Tuesday of a month. We’re going to move them to the second Monday. So, all of those meetings will fall on Mondays.”
The springtime move is most practical as it allows public works staff to assist before large-scale outdoor projects tie them up in the summer.
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