Des Moines County chooses CANCO for public health project

Des Moines County chooses CANCO for public health project Using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, Des Moines County will replace the current public health building (shown), which is located on a hillside in downtown Burlington, Iowa. The new building will be on a level site formerly occupied by an elementary school. CANCO photo

2 years, 9 months ago

The Des Moines County Board of Supervisors voted Feb. 15, 2022, to approve a Construction Management Agency contract with Carl A. Nelson & Company (CANCO) to lead pre-construction and construction of a new public health building in Burlington, Iowa.

Supervisors previously chose CANCO after completing a qualifications-based selection process begun in January. A presentation by CANCO in October 2021 about CMa delivery for public bodies in Iowa led the supervisors to pursue the alternative to traditional design-bid-build construction.

Funding for the project will come from the county's $7.5 million allocated under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), portions of which have been pledged for other uses. Replacement of the existing building has become a priority for the three-member Board of Supervisors. The current building is located on a hillside in downtown Burlington and lacks easy accessibility to either the building or to parking, while being cramped inside. The new building will be located on level ground with easy access from U.S. 34.

CANCO's first task on the project will be to assist the Board of Supervisors with designer selection. A Request for Qualifications for design services will be issued soon by the grant administrator at Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission.