Local company steps in to build safety complex.

Byline: Jack Moran The Register-Guard

SPRINGFIELD - It's on to Plan B for the City Council, which on Monday agreed to put its faith in a local company's ability to build a voter-approved public safety complex for no more than $24.07 million.

Plan A went awry when Atlanta-based Heery International - the firm chosen by councilors in 2005 to oversee construction of the highly anticipated project - indicated in February that the municipal justice center's budget was insufficient. Heery officials said they couldn't complete the job for less than $26.87 million.

The announcement put an end to contract negotiations between Heery and the city. It also worked to delay construction, which was expected to begin in March with Heery at the helm.

Enter John Hyland Construction, a Springfield company that from the start has assisted Heery with planning the project. After meeting last month with Springfield officials, Hyland is now talking to potential subcontractors in hopes of submitting to the city a guaranteed maximum price proposal that meets the $24.07 million project budget.

City councilors on Monday voted unanimously to work with Hyland, as long as its price proposal - due May 3 - is within budget. If that's the case, construction could begin later next month. But if Hyland's price is too high, city officials will be forced to come up with yet another plan.

"If we can't get it done within the project budget, we'll have to come up with some other options," city project manager Carole Knapel told councilors.

Springfield voters in 2004 approved a $28.63 million bond measure to design and build the public safety complex. The city later dedicated an additional $1 million in bond interest earnings to the project. About $5.5 million of the total is budgeted for "soft costs" including project consultant and architect fees.

When completed, the justice center will include a new police station, municipal courts and a 100-bed jail designed to house misdemeanor-level offenders.

Hyland Vice President Shaun Hyland said after Monday's meeting that he is confident that his company's proposal will meet the project's budget. He explained that Heery's exit from negotiations will result in savings to the city.

"We went from two contractors sharing (construction planning) to just one, and that takes the cost down quite a bit," Hyland said.

Hyland already has put out to bid much of the justice center work, something that Heery had not done while it was still active in talks with the city. Hundreds of companies throughout the Northwest have been contacted about the job, Hyland said.

Heery will be paid for its project planning work, although the exact amount has not yet been determined.

According to a memorandum of understanding signed by Heery, Hyland and city officials, Heery could make as much as $579,215. Heery will have to document the money it is owed before the city would pay.