By JIM BUTLER

Renaissance Juvenile Detention District commissioners have selected Ratcliff Construction’s guaranteed maximum price proposal for construction of a 56-bed facility.

Ratcliff’s bottomline as Construction Manager at Risk is $35.1 million.

The CMR approach is a no-bid process available to agencies in Louisiana. It is generally allows greater flexibility and potential cost control than traditional bidding.

The award is contingent on agreement by the state’s Office of Facility Planning.

Commissioners of the district created by legislation last year are joining with Community Receiving Homes (the long-time Renaissance presence on Vandenburg Drive) in seeking an additional $2 million Capital Outlay appropriation to add to $1 million already earmarked for upgrades to the existing 16-bed facility.

According to minutes, discussion of mechanics of transfer of that operation from CRH to the Sheriff’s Office or Law Enforcement District continue. All of the above relates to the state’s move to provide penal alternatives for 17-year-olds.

District Commissioners are Chairman Rodney McNeal, Michael Koch, Elizabeth Lindsay and Larry Spottsville.

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