Melbourne's BRPH to represent airport
January 28, 2010
BY WAYNE T. PRICE
FLORIDA TODAY
The Melbourne Airport Authority on Wednesday decided to buy local when it came to selecting an architectural and engineering firm for the airport.
The seven-member board unanimously agreed at its monthly meeting to begin negotiations with Melbourne-based BRPH Companies Inc. to provide the airport with architectural and engineering services for the next five years.
BRPH, headquartered at 5700 U.S. 1 in Melbourne, would replace Jacksonville-based Reynolds, Smith and Hills Inc., which also was one of three finalists for the five-year contract.
The other finalist was the Orlando-based Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc. Thirteen companies responded to the airport's request for bids for contract.
Melbourne Mayor Harry Goode, who chairs the Airport Authority, said BRPH has been a good partner with the airport in past projects, and a representative of that company even flew to Washington, D.C. -- at the firm's expense -- a few years back to meet with federal officials on an issue involving Melbourne International and Northrop Grumman Corp.
"They are worthy of getting the bid," Goode said.
Brad Harmsen, BRPH's president and chief executive officer, said after the vote that the company appreciated the board's confidence.
"We look forward to the opportunity," he said.
BRPH is no stranger to the airport.
It previously had the airport contract for architectural and design services but lost out six years ago to Reynolds, Smith and Hills. And the company designed the airport's terminal and helped with the design presentation that helped convince Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer to spend $51 million to build a manufacturing plant at Melbourne International.
