Edmonton Architectural Firm Gets Nod for RCMP Building

Monday, June 11, 2007 09:10 PM

IBI Group of Edmonton has been approved as the Architectural firm that will provide the professional services to design the RCMP building that will be built on the site at the corner of 4^th and Victoria Street.

IBI was considered the best choice for the job as it has recently designed two police facilities in Edmonton.

The fees outlined by IBI are $1.75 million, but City staff say that amount is “within line of the project budget and are appropriate for the team specified”.

IBI will work with Bryan Chernoff –Thompson Architects of Prince George and Vancouver. IBI not only has experience in designing police facilities, the firm also has recent experience with northern construction, use of wood in construction and has what staff say is an “established track record on recently designed sustainable projects.”

IBI Group did not present the lowest professional fees of the one dozen proposals submitted. The lowest fees were offered by Meiklejohn Architect at $1.447 million. The highest fees presented came from Stantec, which submitted a $2.195 million dollar proposal.

The decision was not based on fees alone. Other factors, including “methodology”, and “historical performance “, were given a weighted percentage. When all the points were added, IBI had 89.95 out of a possible 100, making it the top mark.

Mayor Colin Kinsley wanted to know if the runner up was cheaper, but only lost points in the "methodology" section why ACI didn't get the bid. Puchasing Agent Scott Bone advised the Mayor that under "methodology" it was shown that IBI could have the building completed by October of 2008, a full ten months faster than runner up ACI. "Given the possibility of rising construction costs we thought it was very important to have the project finished sooner rather than later" said Bone.

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Posted on Monday, June 11, 2007 09:10 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: acrider54 on June 12 2007 6:02 AM

Like we don't have someone locally or even in B.C. for that matter. I know...raise the garbage fees and pay a firm to take the money out of PG

Posted by: ammonra on June 12 2007 7:06 AM

"Methodology". That's one of those ersatz words that do not mean what they are supposed to mean. Methodology should be the science or study of methods. Instead, it is used as a synonym for "method", "procedure", "the way it is done". Why use a fundamental, basic and easily comprehensible term, when a complicated pseudo-fabrication can be utilised instead, eh? That word has always irritated the hell out of me

Posted by: Andyfreeze on June 12 2007 11:16 AM

I have a hard time believing that there is no company in PG or in B.C.that could do this job.
And was the local contender given a chance to adjust their timeline to deal with the cost concerns?
But then,I also have a problem with spending that kind of money on this in the first place!

Posted by: jonnypg on June 12 2007 2:25 PM

I agree...There always complaining about keeping business local!

Posted by: Palopu on June 12 2007 7:13 PM

This **stupid project** will cost taxpayers in excess of $25 Million dollars.

$25 Million dollars for a new police station to replace one that is approx 35 years, old, and which could be renovated to whatever the police desire for something like $ 5 Million dollars. Was renovation ever discussed by Council??

Why is it necessary to build a new building. Does the City Planners etc; have plans for the old location. Who knows.

In any event this is a prime example of a total waste of taxpayers money, the Mayor, Council, and the City Administration must think they are a bunch of **Diamond Jim Bradys**. They throw around millions of dollars like it was confetti, and the Citizens of Prince George just sit back and watch it happen.

Complaining on this post is one thing, however complaining at City Hall is another, and it seems there is little of that. Silence is usually interpreted as agreeing.

Who knows maybe all the Citizens of this Debt Ridden town do agree. They can drive to look at the new police station on the roads that look like they came from a 3rd world country.

The City paid $2,700,000.00 for the land that this station is going to be built on. I doubt if that money is factored into the cost of the building. Havent heard anything about how much will be borrowed, over what time frame, and at what cost. Of course there will be delays and over runs, and at the end of the day we will be staring $30 Million in the face.

We really need some drastic changes at City Hall, and we need it quickly.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on June 13 2007 8:04 AM

Point well made Palopu!