Following completion of the study phase of the Riley County Public Safety Headquarters project, the commission has approved a request to use a Construction Manager at Risk procurement process moving forward.

“We feel that it will serve public interest by providing substantial savings in time and/or money over the traditional design-bid-build process. By doing this process, we’re not playing favoritism to any particular contractor,” said John Ellerman, Riley County Public Works Director.

A public meeting will be held Sept. 29 as the next step in the process.

“It’s important to start the process directly and see it all the way through because this is going to be a facility that’s going to be there for generations to come,” said Commissioner John Ford.

Requests for qualifications will be ready for approval at the Sept. 29 meeting. Those will then be sent to interested contractors. County officials say using the CMAR approach allows a more direct involvement with the commission for oversight on the project.

Commissioners will meet next on Monday. Commissioner Ford will also appear on KMAN’s In Focus Tuesday morning, for the county’s monthly segment on the program.