Title
Architect Selection - Sunset Road Hotel Renovations
Action
ACTION:
Authorize the County Manager to negotiate fees and terms and conditions to execute a contract with Kelso and Easter, Incorporated (dba. KEi Architects) for Architectural/Engineering Services for the Sunset Road Hotel Renovations, and in the event negotiations with this firm are unsuccessful, approve negotiations with the alternate firm.
Staff Contact: Sushma Kumar, AIA, Project Manager, Asset and Facility Management Department
Presentation: No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
An architect is needed to design renovations to the Sunset Road Hotel building located at 6309 Banner Elk Dr, Charlotte, NC 28216 for the purpose of renovating interior, exterior, and operating systems of the building. The facility will primarily serve as an emergency shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness. Department of Community Support Services will be overseeing this facility. Full design services will be required, including a facility code assessment, program verification, design, construction documentation, bidding, and construction administration.
PROCUREMENT BACKGROUND:
A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was advertised July 7, 2025 in the Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Post, and the State of North Carolina Interactive Purchasing System website. The selection of the consulting firms followed NC General Statute 143-64.31, which prescribes a qualifications-based selection process.
Per the Board's instructions, the Selection Committee submits the following report:
SELECTION COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
George Dunlap, Mecklenburg County Commissioner, District 3
Jamila Davis, Director, Business Diversity & Inclusion Program, County Manager’s Office Designee
Mark Hahn, Director, Asset and Facility Management Department
Carl Godman, General Contractor Appointed by BOCC
Stacy Lowry, Director, Community Support Services
On August 7, 2025, six (6) firms submitted a Statement of Qualifications:
Angelo Architects, PLLC
Integra Design Group US, PLLC
Kelso and Easter Incorporated (dba KEi Architects)
Gensler Architecture, Design & Planning, P.C.
Michael Graves MG Charlotte, P.C.
Passero Associates Engineering, Architecture & Surveying DPC
On August 22, 2025, a shortlist selection committee composed of staff from Asset and Facility Management, and Office of Economic Development shortlisted two (2) firms for interviews.
On September 12, 2025, the Selection Committee heard interview presentations from the following firms:
Kelso and Easter Incorporated (dba KEi Architects)
Passero Associates Engineering, Architecture & Surveying DPC
Based on the interviews and information provided in the written submittals, the Selection Committee chose the following firm and alternate for design of the Sunset Road Hotel Renovation project:
Selected Firm/Team: Kelso and Easter Incorporated (dba KEi Architects)
Alternate Firm/Team: Passero Associates Engineering, Architecture & Surveying DPC
POLICY IMPACT:
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A