Central school officials stand behind Texas architect

Officials with the Central Community School System maintain they chose the best firm for the job in selecting a Texas architect to design a new elementary school and a new middle school. Houston-based PBK recently beat out two Baton Rouge firms in the final round of a competition that began with 17 firms pitching designs to an ad-hoc committee. The committee presented three contenders to the Board of Education, according to Superintendent Michael Faulk. Some residents had pushed for a locally based architect, but attorney Sheri Morris for Central schools says state law requires that only “competence and qualifications” can be used as selection criteria. Coleman Partners Architects was one of the local finalists. “You’re always shocked when they don’t pick you,” firm principal Buddy Ragland says. “I think we have a portfolio that’s totally as good as anybody’s. It just wasn’t our day. I apply for jobs far away from here all the time; sometimes I get them, sometimes I don’t.” The other local finalist was Grace & Hebert Architects. Board member James Gardner says PBK was “in my opinion, clearly above the others.” Ross Bogan, Central schools’ construction coordinator for the project, says rough numbers are 90,000 square feet and $13.5 million for the elementary school, 112,000 square feet and $17 million for the middle school, plus possible green design elements. He says PBK plans to open a Baton Rouge office.—Todd R. Brown