FISTA Innovation Park ramping up for new renovation project

FISTA Innovation Park is preparing to build more space for tenants.

Members of the FISTA Development Trust Authority voted this month to hire QUAD Construction as its construction manager at risk for the project to convert 10,000 square feet of space in the former Sears to new use by military defense contractors. The innovation park is located on the west end of Central Plaza and is systematically converting one-time retail space into work and office space for defense contractors.

The newest project is designated Phase 1.1, meaning it is the second conversion of now empty retail space in FISTA 1. The first conversion already is housing tenants and the FISTA administrative team, and that space — completed in 2022 — is 100 percent occupied, said Trust Authority Chairman Mark Brace. While the new project will mirror what already has been built, this new space is “much, much smaller,” said FISTA CEO/President Krista Ratliff, of space being created for Torch Technologies and CEMA.

Ratliff said QUAD Construction’s agreement mirrors that signed with Smith & Pickel Construction, project manager for the first conversion. The contract sets a 6 percent management fee and allows a 15 percent profit.

Brace said QUAD officials already are familiar with Lawton-Fort Sill and FISTA because QUAD is the reintegration of Smith & Pickel. Barry Ezerski, who heads FISTA’s construction committee, said that’s what QUAD brought to the table: “a plus going forward from where we are now.”

The trust authority is using QUAD’s expertise to guide the project as well as control costs. The firm’s designation as project manager at risk means it will provide a guaranteed maximum price for each subcontractor working on the project’s individual components. QUAD will handle the bidding process, recommending the subcontractors that will do work from walls to digital/electrical work. QUAD’s individual recommendations will include a “not to exceed” cost for each project, Ezerski said.

Brace said advertising for subcontractors began last week and QUAD plans to present recommendations to the full trust authority for approval at its early November meeting.

Ezerski said FISTA has a specific timeline for the project. Bids are due by Oct. 30, giving QUAD enough time to review them before taking their recommendations to the trust authority.