House passes bill to allow St. Paul to use design-build process for a public works project

A proposal that would allow St. Paul to use design-build contracting to make improvements on a water treatment plant was passed by the House Friday.

HF3838/SF3297*, sponsored by Rep. Tim Mahoney (DFL-St. Paul) and Sen. Chuck Wiger (DFL-Maplewood), received a 120-0 vote. It was passed by the Senate 66-0 on Tuesday, so now it heads to the governor.

The bill would authorize the City of St. Paul or the St. Paul Board of Water Commissioners to solicit and award a design-build or construction manager at risk contract for the McCarron’s Water Treatment Plant improvement project.

The House adopted the Senate version of the bill, which has additional language that would require the city or board consider at least three proposals when awarding a design-build contract.

Mahoney said the bill “will allow cost savings” for the city’s water department.