COEUR d'ALENE — A local construction company has been chosen as the first third-party manager for a public works project in Coeur d'Alene.

Ginno Construction, based in Coeur d'Alene, was selected this week by the city council to serve as a construction manager and general contractor for the remodel of City Hall. The move, according to Deputy City Administrator Sam Taylor, will allow the construction company more control over the project when it comes to day-to-day choices, rather than having to constantly interact with city employees.

"It slows down the process at times because the construction company needs to get approval from city staff," Taylor said. "This allows them to make these flexible choices on the fly and come up with real-time decisions that could save money in the long run."

Remodeling City Hall, for which the city council has previously allocated a total of $1.75 million, will primarily involve making Americans with Disabilities Act improvements, installation of security systems and restructuring the facility so the entirety of the city's legal department can be housed there rather than at a leased building on Sherman Avenue.

City officials and employees, Taylor said, will still be heavily involved in the construction process.

Three construction companies responded to a request from the city for bids from qualified contractors. According to Taylor, three companies responded and only two of the companies had the proper licensure need. The two finalists' proposals went through a city-conducted analysis that scored Ginno higher than its competition.

"We didn't reinvent the wheel for this process," Taylor said. "They were the most appropriate for the job."

The next step will be for city officials to negotiate a contact with Ginno Construction before bringing it back to the city council for approval. Ginno Construction, according to Municipal Services Director Renata McLeod, has proposed a 7 percent fee to take on the project. That 7 percent, if approved, will come from the total funds allocated by the city council for the project.

Taylor said the city hopes to have negotiations completed in time to have a contract prepared for a council vote during its second meeting in February. Once construction begins, Taylor added, the hope is to have the project completed in six months.

"We're really excited about it," Taylor said. "This remodel is both for the security and safety of our employees, as well as creating a better experience for the residents who come here to do business."