Construction Manager at Risk for a Playground/Park and a Commercial Building at

Knoxville's Community Development Corporation (KCDC) is soliciting proposals for a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) to oversee the Transforming Western Heights project, which involves constructing a new two-story commercial building and an adjacent city playground/park in Knox County, Tennessee. The project requires a qualified construction company to manage both the preconstruction and construction phases, with a 5-month preconstruction period and a 16-month construction timeline. The commercial building will be approximately 17,000 square feet, and the park will include multiple pavilions and associated parking. Proposals are due by 2:00 p.m. on November 21, 2025, with a mandatory pre-proposal meeting scheduled electronically and in-person on November 10, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. The selected CMAR must provide a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) proposal and obtain Payment and Performance bonds equal to 100% of the construction project's cost. The project aims to achieve Energy Star certification and has specific requirements for design, construction management, and project delivery.

The procurement emphasizes opportunities for minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, and disadvantaged businesses through a presolicitation conference and competitive bidding practices. The total anticipated construction budget is approximately $16,000,000, with $9,000,000 allocated for the building and $7,000,000 for the park and playground. Funding will come from various sources, including new market tax credits, which will require a specific ownership structure. The project will have maximum fee limitations for the contractor, with KCDC serving as the project sponsor and developer. Specific financial terms include a preconstruction services fee with monthly payments, and the Construction Manager will be compensated based on the Cost of the Work plus a fee. Liquidated damages are set at $500 per day for delays, with a maximum of $500 per day. The Owner will retain a 5% retainage from progress payments, with potential for early reduction or release. The project will be procured through a competitive selection process, with the Construction Manager responsible for preconstruction services, subcontractor procurement, and comprehensive construction phase management.