CMAR OUA-25-044 State Botanical Gardens of Georgia: Parking Expansion and Entrance Improvements

The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (¿BOR¿) as ¿Owner¿, on behalf of the University of Georgia, ¿User¿ is soliciting Statements of Qualifications from firms interested in providing construction management at-risk services for the construction of a project known as Project No. OUA-25-044, State Botanical Gardens Parking Expansion and Entrance Improvements at the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
A project description is provided below:
Comprised of 323 acres situated on the Middle Oconee River, the State Botanical Garden (SBG) serves as an educational, cultural, and recreational facility to the UGA community, its visitors, and the citizens of the State of Georgia. The SBG is home to numerous specialty gardens, including the Alice H. Richards Children's Garden. Within the SBG is the Porcelain & Decorative Arts Museum. Recreationally, there are 5 miles of nature trails that wind in and around the SBG and along the river.
The Botanical Garden Main Entrance and the existing parking infrastructure (202 spaces, including 8 ADA spaces) are no longer adequate to meet the visitation demands. When designed decades ago, the parking was built to accommodate 50,000 visitors per year. In 2024, SBG welcomed more than seven times that number, recording over 370,000 visitors.
The parking expansion will increase parking capacity by 72%, adding 140 regular spaces and 5 ADA spaces, as well as a bus drop off area and connections to new trails in the SBG's natural areas. The design includes standard details of asphalt drive lane pavement with crushed 57 stone parking pads to address storm water infiltration, ground stabilization, and stormwater best management practices and mitigation. The new parking lot will connect to the Botanical Garden entrance drive at the main entrance off South Milledge Avenue. Consistent with safety and security improvements that have and are being implemented throughout the UGA campuses, the project incorporates site lighting, emergency call pylons and security cameras. The Garden entrance enhancements will improve visitor safety and accessibility for the State Botanical
Garden of Georgia. The relocated entrance, situated furt