Murphy – Plans for a new consolidated high school moved forward at a work session of the Cherokee County Board of Education on Sept. 2.
The board reviewed requests for qualifications from six different architectural firms interested in the project. The firms were the Charlotte-based Boomerang Design, Knoxville, Tenn.-based Cope Architecture, Charlotte-based LS3P & PFA Architects, Asheville-based McMilan, Pazdan & Smith Architecture, Asheville-based Novus Architects and Charlotte-based SGA, Narmour Wright Design.
“What that is also a request for qualifications, where you say, ‘Alright architects, we’re looking for someone to design this for us. Send us your qualifications,’ ” said attorney John Henning, speaking over the phone.
Whining said under the system the board planned to use, with various firms submitting RFQs, it would enable the board to select the firm that would best suit their needs.
“You are explicitly not to select them based on a bid, so it’s not find your best price, it’s find the one that you’re happiest with and try to negotiate a satisfactory rate or fee for them,” Henning said.
The district is already doing business with LS3P & PFA Architects, which is involved in the ongoing School of Innovation projects.
Representatives from all six firms will present to the board at its upcoming regular meeting scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, at Murphy Middle School to allow for more space. After the presentations, the board may select an architect or choose to consider longer.
“I’m confident none of them will be upset if we want to take more time,” Cherokee County Schools Superintendent Jeana Conley said. “If you want to take more time. If there’s not a standout, I think it would be OK to have a callback. I think everyone would be alright with that.”