To help control costs and monitor progress on an estimated $7 million new courthouse project, the Montezuma County commissioners have hired an owner’s representative.
Monty Guiles, owner of Circle Zebra Fabricators, was chosen for the job following the commission’s request for proposals application process. His contract is for $135,000. Construction is expected to be completed in about 18 months.
“An owners rep is an intermediary for all interested parties,” Guiles said in an interview. “My duties are to make sure the county gets the best project possible and the taxpayers get the best bang for their buck.”
Guiles said he has been in construction his entire professional life. He said he has been involved in oil-and-gas industry projects, and with bridges and dams for the Corp of Engineers. Circle Zebra recently built the McPhee breakwater.
The new courthouse facility must meet the Gold standard of LEED energy efficiency as part of the requirements of a $2 million grant award. Guiles said he is certified as a LEED green associate.
Weekly sometimes daily reports on the new courthouse will be sent to the commissioners and the county administrator, Guiles said.
If not monitored by a third party owners rep, large public projects are at risk of going over budget through change orders. Guiles said his brand of “proactive management that tilts but never yields” will control costs.
“I will be closely monitoring the scheduling and the budget to make sure it stays within the bid packages,” he said.
In an interview, commissioner Larry Don Suckla said he had confidence in Guiles construction experience, and ability to do the job.
“He has experience in projects larger than this one, and is a local with a vested interest in the community,” Suckla said. “Monty will be the first one on the job and the last one to leave.”
Suckla said the courthouse’s construction progress will be shared with the public and media. He added the county will participate in meetings at the construction site, and will be reviewing subcontractors as well with Guiles.
“There will be a lot of transparency with the project so the public knows what is going on,” Suckla said. “An owner’s rep works to protect the interests of the county, reviewing contractors, scrutinizing change orders, and generally making sure nobody charges for two bolts when only one is needed.”
Montezuma County is the last county in the state to consolidate its county and district courts. An upgrade is required under the state judicial court facility system.
Construction costs are estimated between $6.5 and 7.5 million for a one-story 30,000 square-foot facility to be located next to the county detention center. It is expected to be completed in 18 months.
Partial funding will come from a $2 million Department of Local Affairs grant awarded in 2014. Another grant of $583,000 was awarded in 2015 from Colorado’s Underfunded Court Facility program.
The county plans to spend $5 million from its current budget reserves on the project. Denver architect firm Humphries Poli was chosen to draw up plans for the new justice center. The next step is to hire a general contractor.
“The goal is to have a general contractor who understands local resources,” Guiles said. “It is very important that every opportunity be taken to hire local contractors when at all possible.”
jmimiaga@the-journal.com
