McMinnville Water & Light clears $24.9M GMP for utility facility and site drainage modernization

McMinnville Water & Light clears $24.9M GMP for utility facility and site drainage modernizationThe Oregon utility is moving into the construction phase of a sweeping headquarters and warehouse overhaul, which includes targeted stormwater drainage improvements to resolve site flooding issues.

The Commission approved a $24,941,919 Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) with P&C Construction, staying under the project's $25.2 million budget.

Site work will address existing drainage deficiencies to mitigate rainy-season ponding in the utility's operational yard.

The broader project features an 18,475-square-foot warehouse expansion, a new pipe storage area, and seismic strengthening of existing structures.

Construction is slated to begin in June 2026, with substantial completion expected by July 2027.

The McMinnville Water & Light Commission in Oregon has approved a $24.9 million Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) amendment, transitioning its major facility expansion and seismic retrofit project into the construction phase. Approved during a May 26 special meeting, the $24,941,919 contract with P&C Construction falls just under the utility's $25.2 million construction budget. The sweeping capital project will modernize the combined water and electric utility’s operational headquarters, warehouse, and surrounding site infrastructure. While the project heavily features administrative and warehouse expansions—including an 18,475-square-foot mass plywood panel warehouse addition and seismic strengthening of existing 1980s-era buildings—it also addresses critical site deficiencies impacting utility operations. Stephen Ohlhaber, a project manager with MWA Architects, noted that the site development will resolve existing drainage problems. "There was some drainage problems that were discovered on site with a lot of standing water," Ohlhaber told the commission. "Now we're enacting a design... to help relieve a lot of just the standing water and usability of the site in wetter times of the year." Alongside the stormwater drainage improvements, the site upgrades will include a new dedicated pipe storage area, a relocated transformer yard with secondary containment, and new secure employee and customer parking lots. To keep the project on schedule for the 2026 summer construction window, subcontractor bids were based on permit-set drawings. P&C Construction is maintaining a 3.5% evolution of design contingency—amounting to $766,084—to absorb any pricing impacts that arise as final permits are secured. Any costs exceeding that contingency will require value engineering or a written change order. According to Jeremiah Dodson, senior project manager for P&C, the project team expects to receive final permits and begin construction in June 2026. The utility is targeting substantial completion by July 2027.