Colorado city sources public works services
According to CH2M HILL, this partnership is thought to be among the largest conversions in our nation, by which county services for public works operations are contracted to a private-sector firm.
Centennial is located in the southern Denver metropolitan area and was incorporated as a city in 2001. Since that time, the city had partnered with Arapahoe County, Colo., to provide public works services.
Beginning July 1, CH2M HILL, based on Englewood, Colo., will manage Centennial’s public works functions such as traffic engineering and operations, permit processing, inspections, administrative services and street and roadside maintenance, including snow removal. In turn, the company has partnered with DMJM Harris and American Civil Constructors to provide public works services to the city.
Unanimously approved by Centennial’s City Council on April 14, the partnership will be guided under a five-year contract—worth about $4 million for the remainder of 2008 and about $8.6 million in 2009. Under terms of the partnership, city officials must review and approve the contract annually.
Commitment to service
Through the new partnership, the city will control public works operations and decision making, but will rely on CH2M HILL OMI to implement all public works services and meet high-performance standards set by the city.
A seamless transition between county operations and city-controlled public works operations is scheduled for the month of June. The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office will continue to provide public safety services for the city under a 10-year agreement that was signed earlier this year.
City leaders spearheaded the public-private partnership with CH2M HILL to enhance the level of service delivered to citizens.
“As stewards of our community, it’s our job to listen to citizen concerns, do our research and respond with the most efficient, highest-quality solutions,” said Jacque Wedding-Scott, Centennial city manager. “Centennial is known for its private-sector partnerships, and we’re confident that our new partnership with CH2M HILL OMI will be a successful union.”
For more information about the capabilities of CH2M HILL, which provides a range of management and maintenance services for the public and private sectors, visit http://www.ch2mhill.com/.
