The City Corporation Board of Directors approved a construction manager at risk (CMAR) for the remodel of a maintenance building on South Arkansas Avenue during its regular meeting Tuesday.

The proposed contract will include the complete remodel of the building that was acquired for the maintenance division as well as the newly formed C&D division. Construction of the project is scheduled for completion in early December 2019.

"This is City Corporation's first CMAR project, and it's a little different than our typical water and sewer projects in that it is vertical construction instead of linear," chief engineering officer Lance Bartlett said. "It has been a collaborative effort with the architectural and engineering firm and the construction manager. Staff expects construction to go smooth based on the team effort in developing the plans."

The contract was approved with Van Horn Construction to not exceed $939,100. The building was formally a tire dealership.

Wastewater master plan

City Corp. staff has met on a weekly basis to discuss the recommendations presented in the revised wastewater master plan, General Manager Steve Mallett told the board.

"Our discussion also included recent improvements made at the treatment plant and proposed improvements at the ConAgra pretreatment facility," he said. "As a result of these meetings, we have developed a revised list of improvements that we feel will address all immediate issues and also allow for growth with respect to flow and loading."

Mallett said the staff has made selections with regards to a construction manager and engineering firm that will work together as a design team utilizing the CMAR project delivery method. They decided to use the alternative delivery method based on the success of the Solids Handling project at the plant.

"We feel this method provides a benefit due to the ability to expedite the schedule by allowing for a team design approach and flexibility in bidding and construction schedules," he said.

City Corp. board members are Susie Nicholson, Maxie Mathis, Chip Blanchard, Jimmy Streett and Don Fronabarger.