Simpson Construction of Wichita has been selected the Construction Manager at Risk for the McPherson USD 418 bond projects. The recommendation of the district’s Facilities Committee was approved by the Board of Education at a special meeting Monday evening.
While all of the companies responding to a request for proposals had the capacity to take on this role, Board Vice President Cheslea Busch said in her view the company’s background was important. “They’ve got the community feel, the family feel,’ Busch said.
Simpson has considerable experience in area projects, and was the contractor that built Eisenhower Elementary School, which will be converted into a middle school under the bond issues voters approved in March.
As a CMAR, Simpson will work alongside the district’s architect, incite Design Studio, and USD 418 staff from the early stages of planning through construction. A feature of this concept is it will make it easier for local subcontractors to be able to bid on.
Simpson president Jared Simpson told the Board the firm will compile information on what local contractors are able to do and package components of the project in such a way that many of them can bid on and hopefully get parts of the $82.9 million dollar combined project.
Incoming USD 418 Superintendent Cody Rierson, who was at the meeting and officially begins his duties Wednesday, said “we’re choosing a partner who will help us make thoughtful decisions every step of the way. We are confident Simpson Construction will be a good steward of our community’s bond dollars.”
Additional information on the progress of design and construction timelines will be shared throughout the bond program.
