By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Hays city commissioners unanimously approved a contract Thursday night for the Owner Representative of the wastewater treatment plant project utilizing the design-build process.

The contract with HDR, which has offices in Colorado and Missouri, will not exceed $1,708,412.

Reconstruction of the wastewater treatment plant is necessary to meet Kansas Department of Health and Environment permit requirements in 2018. The project is expected to cost between $26 and $28 million dollars.

Assistant Hays City Manager Paul Briseno explained to commissioners that traditional design-bid-build processes have caused issues historically with larger projects. Long-serving commissioners Eber Phelps and Henry Schwaller both recalled past problems with street projects and the Hays Aquatic Park.

City staff therefore recommended utilizing the design-build process with the Owner’s Representative Team acting as an extension of the city’s staff to guide the city through the design-build process.

This is the first time the city has used the design-build process.