Specifications include, but are not limited to: MDAH has plans for a new Civil War Interpretive Center near the Vicksburg National Military Park (VNMP), the state’s most visited historical attraction with an average of over 500,000 visitors annually. Architectural services are needed for building demolition and preplanning through construction oversight and administration for an approximately 60,000-square-foot Interpretive Center. The new Interpretive Center will contain museum exhibits, theater, museum store, café and food service, facility use areas, education space, and staff offices. Initial estimates indicate the total project cost is in the range of $80 million. There is no standing usable facility, but existing structures may need to be demolished before construction of the new Center can occur. The construction effort will require Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standard (ABAAS) and mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and life safety systems as per the International Building Code (IBC 2022) requirements for the new facility. The selected Professional will work directly with MDAH. MDAH will facilitate discussions with our Stakeholders, including the exhibit designer (Gallagher & Associates), Friends of the Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign, and Vicksburg National Military Park staff, on the location of the structures on the campus and the internal needs for the building. The selected Professional will be expected to create 3-D software models and renderings of the designs to share with MDAH and the aforementioned Stakeholders for discussion, review, and exhibit planning purposes. Professional will coordinate with the MDAH Information Services on data and communications needs. MDAH will work with Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (ITS), as needed. MDAH will also work with Friends of the Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign and Vicksburg National Military Park staff to coordinate federal and private data and communications needs. This involvement will begin at the Schematic Design phase.
