The Permanent Building Committee on Monday voted 3-0 to select Vertex as the owner’s project manager for the Center School reuse project.

Early estimates for the project went as high as $16.8 million, but some features were cut during design revisions in May that should reduce that figure by at least $1.5 million, according to chair Dan McIntyre.

The plan will keep the 1928 historic building. The two rear buildings will be demolished to make way for a new three-floor addition. It will include space for the town’s Parks & Recreation and Youth & Family Services departments as well as the Hopkinton Center for the Arts (HCA) in a public-private partnership.

The HCA is expected to contribute $4 million to the cost and will lease the first floor. The town’s portion will be funded through Community Preservation Committee allocations.

May’s Annual Town Meeting approved a $2.4 million request to use CPC funds for the demolition of Center School’s two rear additions and the removal of hazardous materials from the site.

The bid package for the demolition phase of the project is set to go out to bid, McIntyre said. He noted that “one of the first tasks” for the OPM will be to review the bids.

Contract contenders all have Hopkinton ties

Three firms were interviewed: Vertex, RGB Architects and Colliers Project Leaders. Each company has worked on at least one project in town previously.

Vertex may be the most familiar name to residents because of its recent school projects. It is the owner’s project manager for the Charleswood School construction and Hopkins School’s addition/renovation. The scope of the Hopkins School project was widened in February.

Each candidate gave a 30-minute presentation. They responded to seven questions the committee presented to them in advance and answered additional ones from attendees afterward about project management and funding tracking.

Vertex highlights recent school projects

Managing director Jeff D’Amico spoke first on behalf of Vertex. The consulting firm is headquartered in Braintree. Over the past 17 years, the firm completed more than 150 projects. Thirty towns have been repeat customers, including multiple MetroWest communities.

Added D’Amico: “That gives us a depth of resources that I think gives us an advantage over our competitors.”

“Hopkinton particularly is an important client of mine,” he stressed. “Over the past 10 years, I’ve been hired by three separate committees in town to lead three separate projects that are some of the largest in the town.”

D’Amico touted Vertex’s work on Charleswood School, which he said “came in $17 million under budget.”

The team he put together for the Center School project “has a lot of historic experience” and is “ready to hit the ground running.”

One plus mentioned is that Vertex has its own environmental services group that provides hazardous material surveys, testing and monitoring.

Vertex representatives also stressed that some team members have worked together for 18 years. They will keep alert for vibrations, dust control and noise pollution that can affect the project and its abutters.

RGB stresses history, local track record

Dave DeQuattro, RGB’s chief executive officer and managing principal, led the team’s presentation. He explained that RGB is a “veteran-owned, multidisciplinary firm” based in Providence, Rhode Island. The 75-year-old company performs architectural work, project management and interior design.

“The most important thing you want to take away tonight is we’re not a national firm,” he explained. “We’re a local firm. We’ve been working in Hopkinton for close to six years, so we love the town.”

RGB performed architectural, interior design and project management services for the Laborers’ International Union of North America. Additionally, RGB is involved in the development of the International Marathon Center planned for East Main Street.

DeQuattro added that RGB is familiar with the town’s governmental structure and maintains a good working relationship with architects, contractors and subcontractors throughout a project’s construction process. This includes Gorman Richardson Lewis Architects (GRLA), the firm that completed the Center School project’s schematic designs.

“We want to make sure that you get what you’re looking for in the time allotted for the amount of money that you have,” added principal John Racine. “It sounds simple, but it’s definitely not when you’re working in historic buildings.”

Racine presented the Laborers’ International Union of North America as a case study. He noted that the team managed five construction activity in buildings with multiple contractors and scopes of work. There were several funding sources, which he said mirrored the Center School project’s economic strategy.

Colliers has experience, ‘cutting edge’ knowledge

Colliers, a Boston-based company, has handled several large-scale projects in Greater Boston involving historic preservation. Team members have been involved in the renovation of Harvard University buildings in Cambridge and Boston University’s 610 Beacon Street dormitory.

Managing director Joe Naughton alluded to the Boston Marathon at the start of his presentation.

“What you’re now looking for is a partner to get you over the finish line,” he told the group.

Naughton said sustainability expert Sarah Maston is the president of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers. She also is “on the cutting edge of building resources,” he noted.

Project director Vivian Varbedian pointed out that the company worked on the Marathon School addition and is “very familiar with the town.”

She stressed that the team sees the Center School as one project rather than two phases.

“We believe in it gong seamless,” said Varbedian. “There should be no disruption in between.”

She added that she enjoys community meetings, particularly when she can turn around the views of “naysayers.”

Vertex edges out RGB

Attendees discussed the pros and cons of each firm. They pointed out the strengths of both Vertex and RGB. Each member ranked Colliers last due to its lack of experience in town.

Member David Godfroy said he liked the “local feel” of RGB.

But Godfroy and member Rob Scott expressed concern that the company’s involvement in multiple projects might stretch senior project managers too thin.

“There’s something about the confidence that Vertex has and the experience they have,” added HCA executive director Kelly Grill. “I did think that Vertex had more depth of what we need and what we’re looking for.”

Grill could not vote, as she is not a PBC member.

“Vertex would be great,” Godfroy agreed. “They know the town. I thought we might get some synergy with them.”

Dave Daltorio, the town engineer/facilities director, noted that both Vertex and Colliers stressed that a project manager should be on-site full-time.

The next step is to present the committee’s recommendation to the Town Manager’s Office, explained Daltorio. This will allow contract negotiations to begin regarding the project scope and fee.