Cape Charles Council Approves Additional Engineering and Inspection Services for New Town Hall Project

CAPE CHARLES, Va. — The Cape Charles Town Council has authorized additional professional services for the construction of the town’s new municipal building, approving a $141,504.25 change order with the project’s architectural and engineering team and establishing a 5% contingency reserve of $7,075.

The action follows the council’s June 18 approval of a $6,220,779 construction contract with Hoy Construction for the long-planned municipal building, which will be built on town-owned property near the intersection of Randolph Avenue and Fig Street.

Town officials had previously advised the council that several project-related costs would need to be addressed separately after the construction contract was awarded. Those included construction administration services, procurement of an emergency generator, and installation of parking lot lighting.

The newly approved change order covers construction phase services provided by HBA Architecture, the project’s lead design firm, along with several engineering and inspection consultants that developed the building’s plans and specifications.

According to town documents, the agreement includes:

• Construction administration by HBA Architecture.
• Civil engineering support from MSA.
• Mechanical, plumbing and electrical engineering services from PACE Collaborative.
• Structural inspections by Speight, Marshall & Francis.
• Geotechnical inspections and testing by Terracon.

The services are based on an estimated 14-month construction schedule and include reviewing contractor material submittals, responding to requests for information, verifying progress payment applications, attending construction progress meetings, and conducting required inspections of earthwork, concrete placement and structural steel.

Special inspections are a standard component of commercial public construction projects and help ensure work complies with engineering specifications, building codes and contract requirements before construction progresses.

Because the estimated cost exceeds the Town Manager’s purchasing authority for professional services contracts — capped at $30,000 — Town Council approval was required.

The approval represents another step forward in one of Cape Charles’ largest capital projects in recent years. The new municipal building will replace the town’s aging facilities and consolidate municipal offices into a modern, purpose-built government center designed to serve residents for decades.

Construction is expected to span approximately 14 months, with project oversight continuing throughout the building process to monitor quality, schedule and compliance with the approved design.

The professional services contract is separate from the previously awarded construction contract and is intended to provide the architectural, engineering and inspection support necessary throughout the life of the project.

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Wayne Creed

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