Design-build touted for Walhalla water project

Walhalla City Council has scheduled a vote in two weeks on whether to pursue a design-build concept for its new water plant on Lake Keowee. Scott Parris, city utilities director, told a meeting of the mayor and council last night the idea amounts to “construction management at risk” similar to what the Oconee School District employed for its new Walhalla High School project. During a meeting of the city council committees, Mayor Pro-tem Tjay Bagwell urged his colleagues to adopt a design-build strategy in which the same firm assumes responsibility for the entire project. A motion approved by Bagwell’s committee to be considered by the full city council March 17 would have the city advertise for requests-for-proposals from interested companies. The city already has at least one contractor interested. Bagwell announced last night that two meetings have been held with Greenville’s Harper Corporation.