Public Works: 4 Tips for Building New

Originally posted in the American Public Works Association Minnesota Chapter newsletter. 

The City of Oakdale’s new public works facility marks an important milestone in the city’s history as the first new capital project in over 30 years. The Oakdale team, led by City Administrator Chris Volkers, partnered with HCM Architects and Kraus-Anderson Construction on this build. Oakdale, like many communities in the region, was at a point where significant decisions needed to be made regarding their infrastructure and whether it was best to renovate, expand, build new or all the above.

After deciding a new building was right for them, the city secured land and funding for a new space. The process presented unique challenges at times, but through the journey four essential lessons emerged that can aid all municipal leaders embarking on similar journeys.

1. Plan for the Future, Today

Projects like Oakdale take significant time, and there can be a surplus of questions to answer. Can the current space accommodate a growing number of staff? Where would a new building be constructed? How will the project be funded?

“It takes longer than everybody says it’s going to take, so make sure you build in enough time,” Volkers said. The process of taking a concept and turning it into a functioning new building for Oakdale took eight years, a timeline dependent on individual challenges, great partners and a project delivery method that best serves the community.

She also stressed the importance of planning for the future, saying, “The public works staff had a lot of input into what they needed now and in the future. They sat down with the architects and helped designed it.”

2. Consider Project Delivery Method

Oakdale had narrowed down project delivery method to two choices; Construction Manager as Agent (CMA) or Construction Manager At Risk (CMaR). Volkers, a veteran of leading major city/county/court projects, noted for their community, CMaR was the best construction delivery method.

3. Hire the Right People

Volkers was candid about the importance of assembling the right team.

“What we should have done is hire the construction manager and architect at the same time,” she said. “Kraus-Anderson, our construction manager, was very good at knowing the market, driving decisions during design and obtaining competitive bidding.”

4. Build It Right

Oakdale’s new facility spans nearly 78,000 square feet, including a two-story office area, vehicle storage, fleet maintenance, salt storage, and a fuel island. Volkers urges her peers to take a holistic approach: “If you’re going to build it, build it right. Get Creative.”

Budget constraints are inevitable, but creative solutions can bridge the gap. When the city needed a new firetruck lift, Oakdale sold the old one to be able to fund the purchase.
“We didn’t have enough money in the original estimates for a fuel island,” Volkers added. “So, we did an add alternate during bid day and it turned out successful.”

A Model for Municipal Success

Oakdale’s journey involved collaboration with state legislators to secure a local option sales tax, and required constant communication with council, staff, and residents.

Volkers encourages other municipal leaders to celebrate the wins along the way, saying, “It’s a journey that takes a lot of time and effort from many people. Don’t let the challenges cloud the successes. Celebrate with your community. Let them see the facility.”