Sparks construction firm CMAR insider for downtown Carson City work

Q&D Construction, Inc., of Sparks will work with Lumos & Associates, which has a Carson City office, and city government on Carson City’s downtown makeover design and project.

So said Danny Rotter, the Public Works Department’s project manager, who noted the Board of Supervisors had approved the first step in the choice of Q&D as the construction manager at risk for the downtown business corridor changes on Carson Street, West 3rd Street and eventually on Curry Street.

“Their proven track record for success will be a great fit for this project,” said Rotter. “We believe their dedication to the project and sincere understanding of what Carson City needs will greatly benefit the project and the people the construction will impact.”

Rotter has told the city’s governing board Q&D will do up-front work worth $50,000 or more without charge even before a final construction manager at risk (CMAR) price tag is negotiated. He said should that negotiation break down the up-front work still would be part of the city’s plan going forward without charge. If the CMAR negotiation fails, he said, the project would go to bid. Rotter has indicated that’s possible, but unlikely.

Q&D was chosen as the best firm from among three proposals, according to Rotter, and he said such early cooperative work with the city and Lumos, the designer, makes sense.

“By hiring Q&D in the role of CMAR,” he said, “we are able to solve construction and design conflicts before they even arise.”

The downtown makeover project, which will narrow Carson Street from four to three lanes, widen sidewalks and add bicycle lanes among other things, will cost up to $11 million.