Arizona Town Transforms Underused Property Into Community Landmark

Challenge: Town of Clarkdale Reimagines Underused Field at Selna-Mongini Park

Some might look at an underutilized baseball diamond and see an eyesore. Some might see a waste. Leaders at the Town of Clarkdale, Arizona, looked at an underutilized baseball field at Selna-Mongini Park and saw an opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind experience marrying education, environmental sustainability and play.

The idea was to convert the property into a public space supporting learning experiences rooted in S.T.E.A.M. – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. The town and its funding partners envisioned a park that would enrich quality of life, provide inclusive recreational opportunities and create lasting memories for residents and visitors. Between several grants and private donations, the Town of Clarkdale had the financial backing necessary to bring its ambitious vision to life.

However, town leaders needed a construction project delivery method that would enable them to maximize their budget and evolve the project scope to match the needs of the community.

Solution: Gordian’s Cooperative Job Order Contracting Offers Efficiency, Teamwork

The town found the procurement vehicle it was looking for in Gordian’s Cooperative Job Order Contracting (JOC), an innovative solution allowing organizations to complete many projects with a single, competitively-awarded contract. Clarkdale accessed an existing contract via Yavapai College, a decision that saved time, as contract terms and pricing have been determined and contractors have been vetted and awarded.

In addition to its efficiency, Cooperative JOC was a wise choice to deliver the Selna-Mongini Park renovation because Job Order Contracting creates collaborative, trusting partnerships between project owners and construction contractors. Under Gordian JOC programs, contractors use a Unit Price Book called the Construction Task Catalog® (CTC) to price all projects completed under the contract. This cost transparency elevates trust and erases suspicion between both parties.

Furthermore, every Job Order Contract is performance-based, meaning owners are under no obligation to award work to contractors who do not meet their expectations.

The town awarded the project to Fann Contracting, an area contractor with decades of experience developing and maintaining infrastructure in Arizona.

Result: Collaboration, Cost Control and Community Impact

The Fann team got to work building the new, S.T.E.A.M.-forward Selna-Mongini Park in January of 2025. Work included installing systems for capturing rainwater, solar-powered amenities, pollinator gardens, walking/hiking trails and accessible playground areas. Every one of these features is designed to turn any visit to the park into a top-tier educational experience.

While the scope of the project evolved along the way, the budget did not. If this were a traditional, “hard bid” project, the changing scope would have resulted in delays and protracted price negotiations. Since this was a JOC project, however, no such delays took place because all new work was priced directly from the CTC as it was at the beginning of the project.

Fann Contracting expertly incorporated design enhancements while maintaining the overall project budget. Working closely with town leaders, the company added a retaining wall and seating wall extensions, accessible paver walkways, and grading and concrete structure adjustments to better address draining and improve ADA accessibility, among other changes. These improvements totaled approximately $50,000 in added value and Fann delivered them with zero additional funding, making the most of Clarkdale’s $2.75 million investment in the project.

Town Manager Susan Guthrie commented that Fann Contracting “demonstrated a strong level of fiscal responsibility and management expertise throughout this complex project,” adding that their ability to oversee a diverse group of subcontractors while maintaining fair and transparent negotiations “saved Clarkdale’s taxpayers money and ensured that every dollar was maximized for the highest quality result.”

Mayor Robyn Prud’homme-Bauer added, “The craftsmanship Fann brought to Selna-Mongini S.T.E.A.M. Park is a testament to their high standards and proven ability to deliver.”

Work on the reimagined Selna-Mongini Park finished in late August 2025. Since the park’s opening, it has served as an interactive backdrop for community events, fulfilling its purpose as a place for engagement and enrichment.

Noted Mayor Prud’homme-Bauer, “Fann didn’t just build a park — they created and invested in a lasting legacy for all Clarkdale residents.” Given its immense community impact and demonstration of best practices, Gordian honored the Selna-Mongini Parks project with the 2025 Harry H. Mellon Award of Excellence in Job Order Contracting.

Joni Westcott, the Town of Clarkdale Parks & Recreation Director, said, “The Town of Clarkdale is grateful for the partnership, support, creativity, and hard work from Fann Contracting, Gordian, our design teams, donors, volunteers and everyone who helped bring Selna Mongini S.T.E.A.M. Park to life. So many people poured their hearts into this project. What makes this especially meaningful is seeing the park full of life every day with kids exploring, families gathering, people learning, playing, and enjoying the space together. Watching the community embrace the park the way they have has been incredibly rewarding for all of us.”