Neenah officials reviewed bids and cost comparisons Tuesday for a remodel of Fire Station 31 and related training facilities, and were told the low bid makes renovating the existing station cheaper than building a new facility. Chief Tash said the lowest bid for an 18,599-square-foot remodel came in at $5.9 million, while converting that same square footage into a new build was estimated at $9.3 million.
The presentation compared construction escalation to general inflation and cited rising material costs, code changes and labor shortages as drivers. “It is very beneficial, economical for us to continue with this remodel versus building new,” Chief Tash said. He and staff said the station would remain operational during construction by shifting personnel into the clinic and voting-area space for roughly five to six months.
Council members discussed bid differences for the jointly administered training tower project and the process for awarding the work. Alderman Erickson asked how living quarters and response operations would be managed during construction; Chief Tash answered that the department will relocate personnel within the station and continue full response without a shutdown. Council members also discussed a $125,000 difference between alternative bid packages for station work and the training tower; an alderman urged that Neenah consider covering the delta so the combined low bid could be accepted.
Staff said they have had preliminary conversations with the City of Menasha and that Menasha is “on board” with accepting the low bid for the shared training tower. The chief described next steps: the station contract will be considered by the Board of Public Works, then returned to the council for a vote if the board approves it. The training tower and related items will be routed to the joint fire finance and personnel committees and then to the appropriate boards for award.
No final contract award for the station or training tower was voted by the Neenah Common Council at the Sept. 3 meeting; council members were informed of the low bids and the procedural path for approval and intergovernmental coordination.