Contractor to oversee city remodel

The city of Coeur d’Alene will seek expertise and leadership from the private sector to accomplish a remodel of City Hall on time and within budget.

After an initial bidding process for the project resulted in multiple contractors all providing bids that were over budget, city officials decided to hire a third party to serve as a construction manager and contractor, rather than rely on in-house personnel. Although Kootenai County and other Idaho cities use this method, which is allowed under Idaho statute, the move will be the first time in the city’s history that a third party will oversee a public works project.

“It doesn’t just give them an open checkbook,” Councilwoman Kiki Miller said of the decision. “It’s still going to be a contracted project with a set budget and timelines”/ Keith Cousins , Press. More here.