Academia Aligning With Private Sector

COSTA MESA, CA—College and university construction is moving toward best value and service-oriented services, more like the private sector does, Sundt Construction Inc.'s regional director for Southern California Robert Stokes tells GlobeSt.com. As we recently reported, Sundt recently completed the $38-million construction of the new interdisciplinary complex at Coast Community College District's Orange Coast College. We spoke exclusively with Stokes about emerging trends in college development and construction.

GlobeSt.com: What are the major trends you're noticing in college development and construction?

Stokes: One major trend that the sector has been moving toward for quite a few years, which is getting strong, is it's moving away from a hard-bid mentality to more of a best value in which clients are seeking to pick contractors based on their qualifications. Price is still a factor, but in the old days it was the only factor. We're seeing that show itself in the higher-end world, with projects being procured under leaseback and design-build, all of which allow you to select a contractor partner with the best qualifications vs. just a low number.

GlobeSt.com: How is college development similar to or different from development in other sectors?

Stokes: This push toward best value and service-oriented-type services within the public sector is really the public sector trying to align itself more with the private sector. For years, private clients have had the ability to go pick who they wanted, basically, because they felt that that person was the best fit or value, but now the public world, while it has to create the rules it needs to follow, is following them in a way that enables them to move in that direction.

GlobeSt.com: Do trends in multifamily and office tend to be echoed in the academic sector?

Stokes: We at Sundt do a lot of student housing, and as it relates to student-housing design, we're seeing much more upscale, enriched amenities as opposed to the old dorm style. The student housing of today is being created as much more of an interactive family-living space. The old space was more about just a place to sleep and study. This is a trend—universities are certainly trying through student housing to enrich their students' social experience on campus.

GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers know about college development?

Stokes: Another trend we're seeing is more public/private partnerships. Student and faculty housing projects will continue to trend toward P3s and will hopefully catch on.