BELLEFONTE — The bill to repair the Centre County courthouse’s retaining walls continues to get larger.
During the April 11 meeting, the board of commissioners entered into a contract with Massaro Construction Management Services LLC to oversee the project. The project will be split into two phases. To oversee phase one, Massaro’s fee will be $103,105. To oversee phase two, Massaro’s fee will be $106,065, for a total of $209,170. The contract is expected to run from July 1, 2023, through Oct. 31, 2024.
According to county administrator John Franek, Massaro Construction Management Services was an ideal choice to oversee the project.
“As you know, we are working with Massaro in other capacities, relative to Centre Crest,” Franek said. “Given the location, this is a natural fit to extend that and help us manage the work that’s before us.”
Franek said bringing on Massaro was necessary.
“The logistics on this project are going to be significant,” he said. “This will not be a part-time gig. We will need someone there in a full-time capacity.”
Commissioner Steve Dershem agreed.
“We really don’t know what we’re getting into until we tear that facing off and see what’s going on behind there,” Dershem said. “This is going to be a big deal for Massaro to make sure that our interests are served.”
Commissioner Amber Concepcion said she is familiar with the work of Massaro. The company oversaw the State College Area School District’s multi-million-dollar project to renovate and build the high school’s campus. Massaro was also involved on the school district’s elementary project.
“Massaro has significant experience working with complex construction projects where there’s people in the building being occupied at the time. I have a little bit of experience with that,” Concepcion said. “They did great work at SCASD throughout our high school project and elementary project where we had kids in the buildings. We had a 100% safety record through some pretty complex phased projects.”
The contract with Massaro was approved unanimously.
Meanwhile, Franek announced the county would enter into contract negotiations with those companies who submitted proposals for the wall restoration project. The companies submitting bids were Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc., of State College; JG Contracting Co., of Carnegie; and McCrossin of Bellefonte.
“The recommended path forward was to do an invitation for bid to contractors who specialize in design/build,” Franek said. “That’s where we are today. Through the invitation process, three out of five firms responded.”
The massive project will take more than a year to complete.
“This is not a Band-Aid to the current situation. This is a long-term fix. That’s the approach we’ll take as we enter into negotiations,” Franek said.
Shad Hoover, of CMT Labs, spoke to the board about the project.
“There have been a number of recommendations from bidders and they are different. … The approaches are different and the costs are different,” Hoover said. “We want to talk to each of the bidders and get a better handle on how they want to approach it and how long it’s going to last.”
Dershem said he knows the project presents many hurdles for the county.
“We have a functioning courthouse within 20 feet of where people (will be) working. … We have many challenges as we move forward,” Dershem said. “This is going to be a lengthy conversation as to which one we pick.”
