By Jim Misunas
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

LARNED — The Pawnee County commissioners moved forward with construction of the proposed Pawnee Valley Community Hospital by approving a “Guaranteed Maximum Price,” of just under $18.3 million Monday.
Commissioners approved the next step by agreeing to a contract with ACM Removal to take out asbestos and linoleum from the current Pawnee Valley Community Hospital.
The commission had reviewed a preliminary construction plan from the Health Facilities Group and Murray Company for the hospital and conducted a final review Monday morning and afternoon. A brief executive session ironed out final contract details.
“It’s phenomenal news and the culmination of a lot of hard work,” said John Haas, Pawnee County commissioner. “It’s a sensitive issue when you are taking out the old hospital right next to the new one you are building,”
Initial work on removing asbestos, relocating utilities and starting demolition will begin Sept. 20 and go until November, 18.
The second phase will be starting construction of the new PVCH. The 15-month project will include building, clinic modification and site work with occupancy planned for Feb. 22, 2013.
The final phase will be final removal of the old PVCH from Feb. 25, 2013 until May 20, 2013. Demolition, asbestos abatement and construction of a south parking lot will be final projects.
Philip Schultze, Murray Company principal, Shelton Streeter, Murray project developer, and David Wright, Health Facilities Group vice president, will have the lead group on the Guaranteed Maximum Price.  Mike Smith, Murray Company, will be the construction superintendent who will spend all his time in Larned over the next two years.
The Wichita Health Facilities Group is the architectural firm for PVCH. Murray Company of Overland Park is the construction firm.
Pawnee Valley Community Hospital is using “construction management at risk.”
CMR is described as a project delivery process where a contractor is engaged by the owner during the design process to assist in pre-construction project management support services, and then acts as a general contractor during the construction process. The process offers a “guaranteed maximum price,” for the project. Proposed CMR fees are $992,825 for Murray.
The commissioners also approved a lengthy list of dignitaries to be invited to the PVCH groundbreaking ceremony at 1 p.m. Sept. 25. Invitations to attend the ceremony will be mailed to dozens of local and regional officials.
Invitations to take part in the official groundbreaking ceremony with the Pawnee County  commissioners will be extended to Pawnee County mayors, Pawnee County Attorney John Settle, the Pawnee Public Building Commission, local doctors and hospital officials and local and regional government representatives.
Senator Jerry Moran, R-Hays, will deliver a 15-minute address following a brief speech by Larned Mayor Bob Pivonka.
“We want this ceremony to be as inclusive as it can be,” said Donna Pelton, Pawnee County commissioner. “We want everyone to feel welcome to be a part of this.”