title
Commissioner Bailey - Office of Capital Improvements - To Approve a Qualifications Based Selection and Authorize the County Manager, or His Designee, to Execute a Professional Services Contract with Indigo River Architecture and Engineering of NC, P.C. (IRAE) for the South Point Access Police Boathouse
body
STAFF CONTACT
Ray Maxwell, PE - Executive Director of Capital Projects - 704-862-7551
BUDGET IMPACT
budget
No Additional County Funds Required.
body
BACKGROUND
Gaston County operates South Point Access, a recreational park on Lake Wylie in Belmont that provides a variety of outdoor and water-based recreational amenities. Gaston County plans to design and build a new Police Boathouse facility, to better support law enforcement operations on the water and ensure effective emergency response and recreational safety enforcement. The project will provide secure, reliable year-round storage and access for police boats, equipment, and marine response operations. The Lake Wylie Marine Commission has expressed its support for the proposed location of the Police Boathouse and has committed to contributing funding toward the project.
North Carolina General Statute NCGS §143-64.31 requires the initial solicitation and evaluation of firms to perform architectural, engineering, surveying, construction management-at-risk services, and design-build services (collectively “design services”) to be based on qualifications and without regard to fee.
Office of Capital Improvements staff developed a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) packet for the South Point Access Police Boathouse in accordance with the statutory requirements and publicly advertised the RFQ beginning on January 22, 2026. A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) submittal was received on February 20, 2026. The one (1) firm submitting an SOQ was:
• Indigo River Architectural and Engineering of NC, P.C. (IRAE)
IRAE is a woman owned design studio that has assembled a team of seasoned waterfront professionals all of whom are highly specialized experts with specific focus on the unique scope of work. IRAE will partner with Little Architects for architectural and systems design support. IRAE’s experience in marine engineering, boathouse architecture, regulatory permitting and public sector delivery aligns with the County requirements for a secure, operational, year-round police marine facility on Lake Wylie.
Approval of this Board Action by the Gaston County Board of Commissioners officially selects Indigo River Architectural and Engineering of NC, P.C. as the designer of record for the South Point Access Police Boathouse. Further, approval of this Board Action authorizes the County Attorney to negotiate and draft the necessary contract documents for the work and authorizes the County Manager, or his designee, to execute said contract. No additional appropriations are necessary as a result of this Board Action.
POLICY IMPACT
N/A
ATTACHMENTS
N/A