Make your customers happy and they’ll come back. The old adage has proven true for Upland Design as they won nearly $5 million in school building contracts for a trio of projects to be completed over the next couple of years.
“Both Upland and Cope had stellar recommendations,” said Director of Schools Bobby Cox of the feedback both architectural finalists received from other institutions for which they designed buildings. “But, we have had more experience with Upland.”
It was that prior business relationship that led to the board of education voting unanimously to negotiate a contract with Upland Design of Cookeville/Crossville for its architectural work on the upcoming projects. The projects in question include a $3 million expansion of Irving College School which will include a new gym and at least eight more classrooms; a $1.1 million multi-sport complex and student wellness center that will include a 40-yard practice facility, lockers and weight room at the high school; and an $800,000 upgrade to Bobby Ray gym.
The past experience with Upland for Warren County includes their design of Centertown School, the 911 Center, the Ben Lomand Operations facility, and projects at the airport terminal and Bobby Ray.
While approving Upland unanimously, some board members did express a few concerns that were laid to rest by members of the design team.
Board member Helen Martin voiced concern about the numbers of projects Upland has going. In response, members of the design team countered that their current projects should be completed by the time they begin working on Warren County’s list of projects.
Board member Bill Zechman praised the energy efficiency of Upland’s past designs but wondered about making the builds aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
“Do you have to pay extra for imagination?” Zechman wondered.
Members of the design team assured the board that the buildings will be visually pleasing and that the board will get approval on all designs along with the price tag that each option may carry.
Cox estimated that if all goes smooth with negotiating the contract with Upland that they would like to begin looking at contractor bids by April. The first project is likely to be the wellness center; however, Cox said the projects will be done concurrently with little lag time in between them.
