The design-build team for Airway Heights’ recreation center project has come down to two finalists.
One of the teams is ORB Architects, of Tacoma, Wash., and Absher Construction from Puyallup. The other is Spokane-based ALSC Architects and Lydig Construction from Spokane Valley. Both design teams will participate in an open house, May 18 at 5:30 p.m., at the Airway Heights Community Center where they will present preliminary designs for the project.
In February, the state’s project review committee (PRC) approved the use of design-build as an alternative project delivery system for the recreation center. Design-build is a method of project delivery in which one entity – the design-build team – works under a single contract with the project owner — in this case, the city of Airway Heights — to provide design and construction services. The recreation center will be the city’s first project to use the design-build method.
J.C. Kennedy, Airway Heights Parks, Recreation and Community Services director, said once staff received the request for qualifications from project teams, the selection committee evaluated each applicant and narrowed their selection to two. The committee later held priority meetings with both teams.
“In those meetings, we were trying to get a feel to what it’s going to be like to work with those teams and they’re trying to get information from us,” Kennedy said. “It was like a work interview.”
Both teams have experience in using the design-build method.
According to Lydig’s website, they and ALSC have collaborated on projects in the past such as the Fairchild Air Force Base Fitness Center, the Spokane International Airport parking garage and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories World Headquarters in Spokane Valley. The Cheney School Board selected ASLC as the facilities architect for the school building expansion and renovation projects.
ORB’s website states that it has been using design-build since 1971. Absher Construction’s design-build portfolio includes the EIE326 Dormitory at Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska and the Washington State University Washington Building renovation.
At the open house, Kennedy said the concept designs from both teams will be basic — “brick and mortar.” Members from both teams, as well as city staff will interact with residents to gather feedback.
The committee will score the requests for proposals on May 19 and bring the design builder selection for City Council’s approval at the May 22 meeting.
“The actual design starts after that,” he added.
The ground breaking for the recreation center is still scheduled for September.
Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].
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