WPA Architecture hired to design American Fork's $40 million public works complex
A five-member committee interviewed the two top-scoring of four firms and unanimously recommended WPA, whose fee was lower. The council approved the award 3-0. A construction manager is still to be chosen.
Updated, Oct. 15, 2026: what changed ↓
Continuing story: Auditing American Fork
In January the American Fork City Council voted 5-0 to borrow up to $40 million in lease revenue bonds for a new public works facility at 275 East 200 North. Staff had recommended a $45.25 million cap. Ryan Hunter moved the resolution and Tim Holley seconded. [1]
On July 14, the council voted 3-0 to award the architectural services to WPA Architecture of Provo. Staff recommended a fee of $589,900. Hunter moved and Staci Carroll seconded; Clark Taylor and Ernie John were absent. [2][5]
How WPA was chosen
Four firms answered the city's request. The scoring sheet in the July 14 packet shows five evaluators' averages: Think Architecture 79.2, WPA Architecture 79.1, Place Collaborative 75.4 and Method Studio 73.7. [2]
Public Works Director Sam Kelly told the council the five-member committee, four city staff members and one outside reviewer, scored the proposals and interviewed the two highest-ranked firms. "Following the interview process, the committee unanimously recommended WPA Architecture," the minutes say. [5]
Kelly said the committee asked WPA why its fee was significantly lower than the others. The firm said it understood the scope, stood behind its proposal, and "wanted to establish a presence in the market." He said one committee member had worked with WPA before and reported positive experiences. [5]
Hunter said he supported the qualifications-based process, in which price was one of several factors, and urged staff to make sure the contract covers all required design work so the city does not face added design costs later. [5]
What comes next
The packet says the city will issue a separate request to hire a construction manager/general contractor, which would set a guaranteed maximum price, the method used for Fire Station 52. At the meeting, Kelly said both finalists told the committee the project could be delivered by that method or by design-build. [2][5]
Council members Ryan Hunter and Clark Taylor both work for SIRQ Construction, which built Fire Station 52. Hunter abstained on that project's price in 2022, and Taylor has said he would recuse himself from any SIRQ bid. [3][4]
Updated Oct. 15, 2026: Added the selection process described in the July 14 minutes, including the interviews and the committee's unanimous recommendation, and the council's vote. An earlier version reported only the scoring sheet and described the vote as a staff recommendation.
Sources
- American Fork City Council · Jan. 13, 2026 minutes
- American Fork City Council · July 14, 2026 agenda packet (public works architectural services)
- American Fork City Council · Aug. 23, 2022 minutes
- American Fork Citizen · American Fork disclosures show gaps, unanswered questions (Aug. 20, 2026)
- American Fork City Council · July 14, 2026 minutes (Utah Public Notice)
Reporting by The Utah Ledger from the public records above. AI-assisted, checked against those records.