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C. H. Garmong & Son, Inc. | 1502 Magnavox Way, Suite 240, Fort Wayne, IN 46804| 260.279.2220 | GARMONG.NET <br />March 10, 2026 <br />Board of Public Works <br />City of South Bend <br />227 W. Jefferson Blvd., Suite 1400S <br />South Bend, IN 46601 <br />Re: Construction Manager as Constructor Services <br />Morris Performing Arts Center Parking Garage <br />Project No. 125-065 <br />Dear Members of the Evaluation Committee: <br />The Morris Parking Garage is the final phase of The Neverending Encore and a significant public investment in downtown South <br />Bend. This project must do more than provide 474 parking spaces. It must support the Morris Performing Arts Center, connect <br />seamlessly to the Raclin Murphy Encore Center, enable adjacent residential development, and strengthen Main Street for <br />decades to come. <br />The City has outlined clear expectations for this effort. You are seeking disciplined preconstruction, a fair and competitive <br />bidding process, measurable inclusion, sustainability, thoughtful evaluation of a Guaranteed Maximum Price, and delivery <br />within a defined construction schedule. This is a high visibility urban project that requires careful phasing, cost control, and <br />coordination with multiple stakeholders while protecting ongoing downtown activity. <br />Garmong’s responsibility as CMc will be to provide structure, transparency, and accountability to help the City meet those <br />objectives. <br />During preconstruction, we will focus on progressive cost estimating, constructability reviews, and early identification of cost <br />drivers specific to structured parking, including structural systems, façade integration, waterproofing, durability, and long-term <br />maintenance. We will coordinate closely with the housing developer to ensure the podium interface is technically aligned and <br />schedule ready before vertical construction begins. <br />Our bidding strategy is built around market competitiveness and fairness. We do not intend to self-perform trade work. Instead, <br />we will develop clear bid packages, apply consistent prequalification standards, and provide complete bid tabulations and <br />documentation in alignment with Indiana Code 5-32. <br />If the City elects to establish a GMP, we support a phased approach tied to design maturity, supported by open book <br />documentation and defined contingency management. Our goal is to provide cost certainty while preserving informed decision <br />making. <br />We appreciate the opportunity to submit our proposal and look forward to discussing how we can support the City of South <br />Bend in delivering a well-managed and durable Morris Parking Garage. <br />Respectfully submitted, <br />Paul Okeson, President <br />C. H. Garmong & Son, Inc. <br />pokeson@garmong.net <br />317.514.4843 <br />Tony Anderson, Project Executive <br />C. H. Garmong & Son, Inc. <br />tanderson@garmong.net <br />317.496.9597