Tulsa County has hired Manhattan Construction to oversee work on the new Family Justice Center.
County Commissioners approved an agreement with the firm Monday. Commissioner Karen Keith called the move a big step.
"We've got a really good team to work with, and we're thinking October or December of [2018]," Keith said in regards to the project's completion date.
The firm will begin a seven-month pre-construction phase working with the project architect next month. County Purchasing Director Linda Dorrell said one benefit is having two parties checking the numbers as the total cost is developed.
"They also will work with them on keeping the costs down: alternative materials that can be used, other construction methodology that can be used, more or less value engineering so that we make sure that this project comes in within budget," Dorrell said.
Manhattan will receive $35,000 for the pre-construction work, which includes coming up with a guaranteed maximum cost for the project. The firm is serving as an at-risk construction manager, meaning if they go over that amount, they have to pay the difference. During the project, they will pay costs.
Once the Family Justice Center is complete, the firm will be paid the cost of the work, including labor and materials, plus 2.7 percent of that sum. After spending $5.6 million on land for the building, Tulsa County anticipates spending about $35 million on the justice center itself.
