GBW Architects selected to design Priceville School

Published 12:28pm Monday, April 16, 2012

GBW Architects of Decatur was chosen over two larger firms to design the proposed new Priceville High School at the regular monthly meeting of Morgan County School Board April 12.

While the vote was unanimous, two board members expressed concern about GBWs limited experience with school building projects and seemed to lean toward a larger, more experienced firm during a work session discussion that preceded the meeting.

Two other architects, Barganier, Davis, Sims of Montgomery and Lathan and Associates of Birmingham offered proposals, along with GBW, at the previous months board meeting.

Board member Tom Earwood, who served on an architect search committee with board members Jeff McLemore and Jimmy Dobbs, pointed out that one of the architectural firms under consideration has over 1,000 school building projects to its credit.

They didnt get there overnight, he pointed out. They have a solid reputation as the largest architectural firm in the state.

I ask you, he questioned, If you needed a heart transplant, would you choose a surgeon who has never done one or a surgeon who has done 1,000?

Board chairman Carolyn Wallace picked up where he left off by suggesting that consideration for the selection of an architect should be removed from the meeting agenda and brought back up for consideration at a later date.

Theres so much out there that needs to be taken under consideration when it comes to building a new school, she pointed out. I want someone with experience before turning loose $20 million dollars.

Its been a little bit of an unfair process, she added.

See original here:
GBW Architects selected to design Priceville School