Consulting firm offers services for possible city hall project

With the city of Poplar Bluff still looking for a permanent answer to house city hall and a police station, Todd Sweeney of Navigate Building Solutions came before the council Tuesday evening to explain how his company could assist in the process.

The council is expected to vote on whether or not to employ Navigate Building Solutions to manage a possible construction process during the March 4 meeting.

Navigate Building Solutions is a consulting firm that provides program management solutions to public agencies seeking to build new facilities.

Property (outlined in red) which the city of Poplar Bluff recently purchased next to the former city hall and police station complex.DAR/Brian Rosener

The company is not involved in the construction of buildings. Sweeney said his company would seek the best bids from their database and present the best values for the city.

“We want to give you benchmark data and the ability to make knowledgeable-based decisions,” Sweeney said.

The company, who averages assisting about four city hall/police station projects per year, would look at site evaluation, budgeting, design, costs and more for the city.

The city of Poplar Bluff would hire a general contractor and architect, while Navigate Building Solutions would ensure the best value is received.

“We give data and recommendations of the best route, but the city will make the decision on everything,” Sweeney said.

City Manager Mark Massingham said during an initial meeting with Sweeney, he asked questions regarding the potential project that others had not taken into consideration because this was something he dealt with on a regular basis.

Sweeney told the council services from his company cost about $15,000, but the savings from the project would pay for their services.

“I think building a project the size we are talking about is going to be very overwhelming,” Mayor Susan McVey said. “A firm like yours could step in and help alleviate that by guiding us.”

Also during the next meeting, the council will be voting on whether or not to pass a resolution allowing the city to reimburse itself for capital expenditures on a possible city hall location.

This would allow the city to pay itself back for the $165,000 spent in January on the property at 115 Pine Street to be included in a potential city hall project.

According to Massingham, if the city decides to construct a project and issue certificates of participation, a resolution must be passed in order to be reimbursed from the bonds.

“We have to do it within 60 days of the closing of the property,” Massingham said. “We are not committed to do anything, but if we decide to do something, we will get reimbursed.”

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Editor's note: More from the city council meeting will appear online and in the Thursday, Feb. 21, edition.