City seeks construction manager for new center
By Grace Lovins
Keeping the momentum on the development of Birmingham’s new recreation center and home for Next senior services, the city commission voted during the Monday, January 13, meeting to issue an RFP (Request for Proposal) for construction management services.
Since mid-2023, the city has been working on a plan to turn the former Birmingham YMCA building, located at 400 E. Lincoln, into a new home for Next senior services and recreation center for residents. The goal is to have a new building ready for Next to move into by the time their lease agreement with the Birmingham Public Schools district is up in 2027.
The city has obtained services from architects, engineering firms and a program management firm — serving as the owner’s representative — since purchasing the building. Brian Deming of Kramer Management Group, the owner’s representative, brought the item forward noting that hiring a construction manager is adding the ‘last major player on the team’ putting information together.
Deming said the construction manager would provide management services of the project schedule, cost, quality, safety and scope. They would also help in developing the budget and reviewing the constructability of what design the architects put together. Deming also emphasized the fact that this manager would deliver the guaranteed maximum price for the project.
Although the commission decided to delay the submission of the bond proposal earlier in the meeting, Deming explained that it was preferable to move forward with releasing the RFP since the construction manager will be able to put an actual cost to the project.
Deming said should the commission move forward with releasing the RFP, the included schedule would be updated to reflect the shift from a May bond vote to an August bond vote. The RFP would also only request an estimated cost for schematic designs in the schedule.
The commissioners voted 5-1 to release the RFP for construction management services, incorporating the changes explained by Deming, with commissioner Brad Host voting against the motion. Host has consistently voted against items relating to the project, citing his frustration with not officially calling the building a community center and his opinion that the city is moving too fast on the project.
Mayor pro tem Clinton Baller was absent from the meeting.