Becker Morgan Group has been officially selected to complete architectural and engineering services for a new public works facility in Berlin.
Berlin is planning to relocate its existing public works complex, pictured, from William Street to a parcel on Heron Park.
File photo
By Tara Fischer, Staff Writer
Becker Morgan Group has been officially selected to complete architectural and engineering services for a new public works facility in Berlin.
The town and the public works crew are excited about the creation of an improved building, which will be funded through a bond from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Of the $3.8 million bond, about $2.8 million is earmarked for the public works facility construction while $1 million is for electric meter replacement and upgrades.
The current public works building, constructed in the 1960s off William Street and a mere 22 feet, was meant to be temporary. The new facility is set to be revamped using bigger, existing structures at Heron Park.
Becker Morgan’s proposal details that the property includes four parcels. Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall said that the maintenance portion of public works will be developed on parcel 410 of Heron Park with the planned skate park. However, when the town and the contractor begin to lay out the facility, they intend to look at the entire land holistically, including adjacent parcels like 191.
“We have to take everything into consideration,” he said.
The project budget is approximately $2.8 million. The existing building on the site to be used is 4,875 square feet, and a new addition is planned for 12,000 square feet. The contractor will handle civil engineering services, which include upgrades of public utilities, and place solar panels either at grade or on the roof of the addition.
The initiative outlined by Becker Morgan stipulates that the solar panels are contingent on securing additional funding or grants.
The contractor will also consider the necessary inclusions of office space, a wash bay, a garage, storage, and a classroom in the public works facility’s creation.
The conceptual design and surveying of the area to be completed by Becker Morgan Group, which will include collecting topographic data and locating utilities, will cost a total fixed fee of $30,000. Throughout this process, the contractor will deliver conceptual site plans, floor plans, elevations, and engineering narratives to the town.
The total fees for the design and construction documents, including civil, architecture, MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing), and structural, are estimated to cost $220,000.
Fixed fees for the design and construction documents will be determined following the completion of the conceptual design.