By Rick Madewell
Assistant Editor

In front of a packed chamber at St. Cloud’s City Hall Thursday, council members heard presentations from four companies vying to be construction manager at risk for the Nolte Road project.

The City Council previously had conducted interviews with company officials, looked at written proposals and watched DVD presentations.

In the end, Turner Construction took the top nod by a 4-1 vote. Kraft Construction Company, of southwest Florida, was voted in as the secondary firm.

Other companies competing for the project included Clancy & Theys Construction of Osceola County and Balfour Beatty Construction of Orlando.

The biggest concerns echoed by council members in awarding the project were the number of local subcontractors that would be involved and the price.

“It’s coming down to price and participation ... how many of our people can we put to work, based on our project,” Mayor Donna Hart said before the final vote. “I know that all of your work is really good.”

Councilman Tom Griffin added, “I’m very happy we’re getting ready to move forward on this. I really can’t see going beyond the price issue and I’m impressed everyone has come here and given their presentations.”

Turner Construction Company Vice President Scott Skidelsky told council members his firm, which has been in Central Florida since 1925, is the top management at risk company in the nation.

“The price will do nothing but go down,” he said of the $20 million maximum for the estimated 16 months of work. “We’ve sat down and met with all the local contractors. Us understanding their capabilities led us to develop a maximum inclusion plan.”

Skidelsky went on to say that his firm, which he said has put about $100,000 back into the community through support of youth clubs, has broken the project into four segments instead of the normal three to include even more local subcontractors. He said there would be about 90 to 95 percent local work, with some 25 subcontractors involved. The company is currently working on Osceola Parkway and has done work previously for the county’s school system.

“We’re very proud of the work we did with the school system here,” he said. “Right now, you’re capitalizing on the ideas of four great firms. We are positive this will be a successful project for the city of St. Cloud.”

Skidelsky went on to say that portions of the project that are not needed, such as fill dirt, would be offered to neighboring residents who need if for whatever purpose.

In other business, council members approved the annexation of property for Amber Diagnostics, but shared several concerns.

Council members were informed the building, planned for 17th Street, 180 feet east of Budinger Avenue, would blend into the residential neighborhood.

“I think we’re causing problems putting something commercial there,” Councilman Jarom Fertic said.

An Amber Diagnostics official said he didn’t like to see landscaping for new developments start out by removing larger trees just to replace them with seedlings.

“We want to try to preserve the trees,” he said. “And we maintain the integrity of our developments. I have every intention on closing on this property. There is a huge need for the services we offer.”

The representative said his firm would work with others in the neighborhood to “make things right,” and planned to bring back a revised plan showing more details that would appease residents.

Wildthing’s Farmers Market, an open-air market that can be reached from U.S. Highway 192, was given unanimous approval for a conditional use to operate.

Relay for Life representatives presented the city with a plaque and thanked members of the council for efforts and donations to the cause. The event, representatives said, raised more than $38,000.