Cabarrus board recommends architect for Human Services building project

By: Karen Cimino Wilson | Independent Tribune
Published: October 07, 2011

CONCORD, NC --

Cabarrus County officials recommended last week that commissioners hire Yates, Chreitzberg, & Hughes to be the architectural firm to design renovations to the county’s Human Services Center in Kannapolis.

Cabarrus County is planning to renovate 34,000 square feet of office space in the Cabarrus County Human Services Center building located at 1303 South Cannon Blvd., Kannapolis. The space houses a health care provider now and will be renovated for use as office space, said Kyle Bilafer, the county’s general services director.

The design will include structural, electrical, plumbing, data/phone, mechanical, minor storage, educational, fire and security.

County officials also plan to examine the feasibility of constructing an additional secure parking lot at the rear of the building.

In June, the county asked for Request for Qualifications from architectural services interested in designing the renovation. Eight companies submitted packages, which were reviewed by an internal selection committee comprised of county employees.

The county employees narrowed the list to four firms that were asked to make formal presentations and answer specific questions related to the proposed project. Presentations were made on Sept. 2. The internal committee voted following the presentations and selected Yates, Chreitzberg, & Hughes for the job.

Now commissioners must vote to accept the recommendation and authorize Interim County Manager Mike Downs and the county attorney to negotiate a contract with the firm.

“We’re looking to move several departments in there. The Department of Social Services is looking to expand,” Downs said about the proposed renovation.

Downs said funds are already available for the project.

“We’re looking to move the transportation department up there, administrative offices of aging, Parks and Recreation and the legal office,” he said.

Commissioner Chairman Jay White said the project is not new.

“This is something we talked about as a project because the money was already there,” he said.