Architect selected for state college

Thursday, July 21, 2005 | 10:40 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- In an effort to get construction started on a long-delayed building at Nevada State College in Henderson, the state Public Works Board on Wednesday selected an architect without soliciting proposals from others.

The board named Carpenter Sellers Architects of Las Vegas to perform the work and to determine the size of the building in these times of escalating construction costs. The building was originally planned for 100,000 square feet and was later reduced to 86,000 square feet.

Calling it "a 2001 project .... quite a long ways behind the ball," Renny Ashleman, vice chairman of the Public Works board, said there was justification for selecting an architect without seeking other proposals.

He said an exception in the law allows the Public Works Board to employ professional services, such as architects, without seeking proposals.

The board's policy, he said, is to request proposals, but in this case he said the board made an exception because Carpenter Sellers Architects had already worked at the college and was prepared to start immediately.

Ashleman said in all likelihood Carpenter Sellers would have been chosen if a request for proposals was sought from architects. In cases where the board seeks proposals from professionals, the winner is judged on competence and not solely on price.

During Wednesday's meeting, board Chairman John Breternitz of Reno and member Robert Weber of Las Vegas questioned selection process. "This gives the appearance we are foregoing due process," Breternitz said.

He said the board agreed earlier against direct selecting of architects in the future. He said this appears to be a "circumvention of the process."

Nunez and Board Manager Dan O'Brien said Carpenter Sellers was involved prior in planning at the state college.

"Carpenter Sellers is well qualified in the design of this type of a facility," Nunez said. "They are ready to go. There will be very little wait in time in getting going."

The board then voted without opposition to hire Carpenter Sellers Architects.

The 2001 Legislature authorized $13.4 million in general obligation bonds for the building on the condition that $10 million be raised in private money. But the private contributions failed to materialize. The 2005 Legislature authorized $9 million in estate tax money to be used because of the absence of the private donations.

There are questions now about whether the available money will be enough for the planned building.

Gus Nunez, deputy manager of the Public Works Board, said the architect has to determine the final scope or size of the project, and any change must be approved by the Legislature' Interim Finance Committee.

Nunez said the original plan calls for three buildings -- administration, classrooms and labs, but it may end up in one building at a cost savings.

The recommendation of the board staff said the college has "experienced substantial increase in enrollment and the need for a Liberal Arts Building is becoming extremely critical. Public Works can save valuable time by direct selecting an architect and thus start the design process sooner."

This would be the first state building on the campus.

In another matter before the board, Senior Deputy Attorney General Bob Auer said there was a $350,000 claim by Burke and Associates for work it did in the remodeling of Wright Hall at UNLV. The dispute between the contractor and the board is over language in the contract affixing the outside tile to the building.