THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 10, 1995 TAG: 9501100321
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: By PAUL SOUTH, Staff Writer
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines
The Dare County Capital Improvements Committee selected three architectural firms Monday for interviews in connection with a proposed county government complex.
Two North Carolina firms and a Washington, D.C., concern were chosen after almost a month of review by the eight-member panel, which includes representatives of Dare County and the Town of Manteo.
Kimball and Associates of Raleigh and Ebensburg, Pa., The FWA Group of Charlotte, and Spillis, Candela and Partners of Washington were selected after a day of final evaluation.
Some 21 firms submitted outlines of their qualifications to the committee.
The panel used a set of criteria established by the American Institute of Architects, including the firm's history and resource capability, personnel, related experience, familiarity with the local geography and facilities, and the ability to relate to the project.
During the interview process, the panel will determine each firm's experience with budget, cost control experience and results.
Committee Chairman Clarence Skinner expressed surprise that the group reached consensus so quickly.
``I thought we'd wind up going through the rating process a second time,'' Skinner said. ``I thought there would be wide disagreement.''Skinner said the biggest factors in the selection were qualifications and ability.
Manteo Town Commissioner Lee Tugwell said the AIA- approved grading scale insured objectivity in the process.
``When we used the grading scale, it insured impartiality,'' he said. ``We got strong unanimous support for three firms. It showed the process worked very well.''
Despite the selection of the three firms, Skinner was quick to point out that the construction of the new complex is not certain.
``This is not a done deal,'' he said. ``There is no preconceived idea that this needs to be done. We have to gather all the facts and make sure all the cards are on the table before we make a decision. I think once all the information is out there, people will support it.''
Skinner said the full commission and the public will be able to provide input into the proposal.
Commissioner Doug Langford said the committee's intent is to put the information on the architect's proposals in a manageable form for the full commission.
``We're trying to codify the information before we go back to the full board,'' he said. ``We want to get a good idea of how the board and the people feel about the project before we proceed.''
County officials have said a tax increase may be needed to finance the facility. But that cannot be determined until final costs of the proposals are submitted.
``If the people are overwhelmingly against it, I'm not going to support it,'' Langford said.
Skinner said if a tax increase is required, it would probably mean a countywide vote.
``In all likelihood, there would be a referendum,'' he said.
Thursday's meeting of the committee will center on the questions it will ask the three firms during the interview process. Copies of the three firms' qualifications will be sent to all members of the Dare County Board of Commissioners.
The panel has selected two possible sites for the facility. One is located near the Dare campus of the College of the Albemarle, another between Budleigh and Annanias Dare streets, where county administrative offices are located. ILLUSTRATION: GOVERNMENTAL CENTER FIRMS
Here is a brief look at the three firms selected Monday for
interviews in connection with the proposed Dare County Governmental
Center.
The FWA Group, Architects, LOCATION: Charlotte, N.C., FOUNDED:
1953, KEY PROJECTS: The Waterfront, Manteo, N.C.; Rhone Poulenc
Agricultural Co. Technical Center, Research Triangle Park, N.C.; The
Charles R. Jonas Federal Building, Charlotte, N.C.
Kimball and Associates, P.A., LOCATION: Ebensburg, Pa. and
Raleigh, N.C., FOUNDED: 1953, KEY PROJECTS: Kenosha County
Courthouse, Kenosha, Wi.; Cambria County Courthouse, Ebensburg, Pa.;
Monroe County Courthouse, Stroudsburg, Pa.
Spillis, Candela, and Partners, LOCATION: Washington, D.C.,
FOUNDED: 1926, KEY PROJECTS: Anne Arundel County Judicial and
Administrative Center, Annapolis, Md.; District of Columbia Court
Complex; Northumberland County Courthouse (in association),
Heathsville, Va.
by CNB