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For the Town of Cutler Bay, building its Legacy Park and Municipal Complex could be a great success or a financial boondoggle.
I say this because the 16-acre park is of intense importance and scrutiny as Cutler Bay taps a $37 million General Obligation Bond to build a city hall, new police headquarters, the park and more. Oftentimes, politicians don’t make for good project managers and costs run amok.
To avoid problems, Cutler Bay has made a bold move, using a non-traditional “Design/Assist” approach, and integrating the construction firm early in the design process to collaborate closely with the design team. By involving Kaufman Lynn Construction from the early stages, the town hopes to ensure that practical, cost-effective solutions are considered throughout the design phase, leading to better cost management and project efficiency.
That integration might sound simple, but this type of forward thinking is the exception not the rule in government.
The Design/Assist approach includes a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) process, which can protect the town from cost overruns. This process is designed to ensure that the project will be completed within the approved budget, providing financial certainty and stability.
What I like about the Design/Assist method is that it allows for continuous evaluation and optimization of design and construction. This means high-quality standards can be maintained without compromising the budget.
Cutler Bay also sought lots of input from residents, holding multiple workshops including one on June 13. The detailed floor plans for key facilities — town hall, police station, community center and pool — have been reviewed carefully to meet the community’s needs. The collaborative process ensures that the final design aligns with the goals and vision of the community.
A special shout out to Vice Mayor Michael Callahan, a general contractor, and Council Member Robert Duncan, a project manager at Florida International University, is warranted.
They bring valuable expertise to the project, with insights that have been instrumental in emphasizing the importance of staying within budget and delivering a project that meets community needs.
Here is another innovation: The town’s commitment to environmental safety is evident through the soil remediation efforts led by environmental attorney Michael Goldstein. The approved site management plan is a significant milestone that enables the town to pursue grants for environmental cleanup, potentially saving lots of money.
Once the design team, town manager and Kaufman Lynn Construction agree on elements, materials and other details that keep the project within the voter-approved bond limit, construction can start.
Combined, these steps will further solidify the town’s commitment to delivering a state-of-the-art facility for its residents that is fiscally responsible and finely tuned to serve the community for a generation.
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