TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Douglas J. Hewett, ICMA-CM, City Manager
Jeffrey Yates, ICMA - CM, Assistant City Manager
FROM: Roger Hunt, Project Manager
DATE: September 28, 2026
RE:Title
Authorize Construction Manager At Risk Delivery Method for the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) Title
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COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
2
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal 3: Desirable Place to Live, Work and Recreate
Executive Summary:
Staff requests City Council authorization to use the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery method for the new Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), or 911 Center. The current facility in City Hall has limited space for the staff and resources needed to meet growing service demands. The City has acquired two parcels off Aviation Parkway for a new facility to support current operations and future needs, including potential consolidation with Cumberland County. The PSAP will be the fourth project initiated under the 2022 $60 million Public Safety Bond program.
CMAR, authorized by N.C.G.S. §§ 143-128 and 143-128.1, will bring construction expertise into the design process to help coordinate specialized systems, identify potential problems, and align the design with the project budget and schedule. Upon approval, the City will issue a Request for Qualifications and select a firm through the qualifications-based process established by N.C.G.S. § 143-64.31. The selected firm will work with the City, Owner’s Advisor, and design team to develop the project, competitively bid construction work, and establish a Guaranteed Maximum Price for the agreed scope, subject to approved changes and contractual adjustments.
Background:
On August 10, 2026, staff presented City Council with final due diligence findings and a recommendation to acquire two parcels off Aviation Parkway for a new PSAP facility. Council approved the acquisition, and the purchase was subsequently completed.
The PSAP will be the fourth project initiated under the 2022 $60 million Public Safety Bond program, following Fire Stations 16, 9, and 2.
City Council previously approved CMAR for Fire Stations 16 and 9 to support early contractor involvement in these large, complex construction projects. Fire Station 2 involves a smaller renovation of the original station, constructed in 1941. Given its more limited scope and construction budget, staff considers traditional design-bid-build a more appropriate and cost-effective delivery method for that project.
The proposed PSAP has specialized communications, technology, and building infrastructure requirements essential to continuous emergency operations. Early contractor involvement will help coordinate these requirements, evaluate construction options, and keep the design aligned with the project budget and schedule.
Construction Manager at Risk as a Project Delivery Method
CMAR is authorized by N.C.G.S. §§ 143-128 and 143-128.1 and brings a licensed general contractor into the project during design. The contractor works with the City and its separately contracted architect or engineer before managing construction. Under traditional design-bid-build, the City generally completes the design before selecting a construction contractor through competitive bidding.
The City selects the CMAR based on qualifications and then negotiates a fair and reasonable fee, consistent with N.C.G.S. § 143-64.31. Construction work is competitively bid to prequalified subcontractors under N.C.G.S. § 143-128.1(c). The City and CMAR establish a Guaranteed Maximum Price for the agreed construction scope. The CMAR assumes responsibility for delivering that scope within the agreed price, subject to approved changes and other adjustments permitted by the contract.
Staff recommends CMAR for the PSAP because early coordination among the City, designer, and contractor can help resolve complex construction and systems issues before work begins. This approach supports informed budget decisions, realistic scheduling, and clear construction quality expectations while maintaining the City’s oversight of project costs and performance.
Issues/Analysis:
None.
Budget Impact:
The budget will be funded from the 2022 Public Safety Bond
Options:
1. Authorize the City Manager to pursue the construction of the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) project using the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery method
2. Do not authorize City Manager to pursue the construction of the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) project using the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery method.
Recommended Action::Recommended Action
Authorize the City Manager to pursue the construction of the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) project using the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery method.
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Attachments:
None.