Murrysville chooses consultant to design amphitheater space
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Murrysville officials will move forward with plans for a grant-funded amphitheater at their community park, using two Pittsburgh-area consultants to plan the space’s design.
“We narrowed it down to four consultants,” said recreation Director Carly Greene. “We didn’t leave the table bloody, but we had some intense discussions about which way to go.”
After interviewing each of four regional firms for about an hour, council approved the recreation department’s recommendation of a $9,500 combination low bid from Hayes Design Group and Mackin Engineering.
“They came in as a pair and really bring both sides of the house, the engineering side and the ‘artsy’ architectural design we need to put a vision together for this project,” Greene said.
Municipal officials are working with a $299,000 grant from the state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and looking to put the pre-fabricated amphitheater on a 4.5-acre parcel at the park off Wiestertown Road.
This is the second time the municipality has sought consulting bids. After the first round came in far higher than expected, an allocation for potential sub-consultants was built in to the request for proposals.
“We’re probably going to experience some of those (additional) costs,” Chief Administrator Jim Morrison said. “But that expertise is available in the community, and some of those folks have come forward willing to help with the design and the plan. And if they aren’t able to provide support to the extent we need, we may need to use some of the allocation for sub-consultants.”
Greene said the next step will be a series of meetings between the new consultants, staff and the Murrysville Parks and Recreation Commission.
“We’re working with them to develop the concept plan and come to an agreed-upon concept for the site,” she said.