Boston Public Facilities Commission Approves $2.5M in Design Contract Amendments

BOSTON — July 22, 2026 — Boston's Public Facilities Commission approved three contract amendments totaling more than $2.5 million at its July 22 meeting, the largest covering a $2,291,896 increase to the design contract with Sasaki Architects PC for the City Hall Plaza renovation. Senior Project Manager Brian Melia told commissioners that of the total increase, $684,235 reflects a proportional fee adjustment tied to construction budget growth from $61 million to a guaranteed maximum price of $75 million, while the remaining $1,607,661 covers extensive tunnel surveys, geotechnical investigations, and structural testing required around MBTA subway tunnels beneath the plaza — work made necessary because, as Melia put it, "there were no as-builts, there were no load capacity surveys" in MBTA's records. The commission also approved a $184,500 increase to owner's project manager NV5 Consultants Inc. and a $5,000 increase to Icon Architecture Inc., both tied to a 2016 MSBA Accelerated Repair Program project at five schools, after contaminated materials and structural deficiencies found during boiler demolition at Boston Latin School extended both contracts through March 15, 2022. All three votes were unanimous.