School board accepts unsolicited Gilbane PPEA proposal for Walnut Hill; approves $25,000 review fee

The Petersburg City Public Schools board on Aug. 6 accepted an unsolicited public-private education facilities and infrastructure act (PPEA) conceptual proposal from Gilbane Incorporated for the Walnut Hill Elementary School construction project and authorized a $25,000 conceptual review fee. Why it matters: The PPEA process allows private firms to submit conceptual proposals to partner with a locality on public infrastructure projects; accepting Gilbane’s proposal begins a public-notice period and opens the district to competing submissions. Superintendent Brown told the board she recommended three actions: accept Gilbane’s unsolicited conceptual PPEA proposal, acknowledge receipt of the $25,000 review fee, and direct staff to publish public notice and accept competing proposals through 4 p.m. on Sept. 19, 2025, per district policy DJFA-R. The board approved the $25,000 fee and the staff recommendations. A motion to accept the unsolicited proposal was moved and seconded; the board then directed staff to run the public notice and evaluation process. Next steps: The superintendent or designee will publish the required public notice, receive competing proposals through the Sept. 19 deadline, and conduct evaluations under the board’s PPEA rule. Any negotiated agreements or contracts that result will require separate board approval.