Board ratifies contracts for Central Core Fire Training Center after cost increase; construction to start late summer

The Clayton Board of Aldermen on May 13 ratified the Central Core Fire Training Center Commission’s contract awards and cost adjustments for a multi-city training facility in Shrewsbury, approving the commission’s recommendation after staff reported an unanticipated $150,205 increase in project cost tied to site remediation.

City staff told the board the total project cost is now $2,027,570, a $150,205 increase over the initial estimate. "The overrun is due to the remediation of poor soil and loose fill, which was not anticipated until further site investigation was completed," staff said at the meeting. The commission approved four construction contracts and an additional $60,000 in contingency funds to be split equally among the four participating cities ($15,000 per city); the staff report says $90,205 of the overrun will be funded by the Central Core training division fund balance.

Clayton’s cash commitment for the project is approximately $500,000; the remaining cost will be funded by the other three member cities. Staff said Clayton will pay its share from the capital improvement fund and that the additional contingency will be handled via an upcoming budget amendment. "The additional contingency amount will be funded out of the capital improvement fund and included in an upcoming budget amendment," city staff told the board.

Chief Jason Hildebrandt, the training chief overseeing the project for the member cities, said the general contractor is expected to mobilize in late July or early August with site construction finished by November. The vendor that fabricates the training tower is scheduled to deliver and mobilize the fabricated training components the following March, and the training center should be operational in April 2026 if the schedule holds.

The commission’s action had already been ratified by Brentwood and Richmond Heights; Maplewood’s council had the ratification on its agenda that same evening. City staff told the board that the project moves forward only if all member cities ratify the commission’s contract awards. "It has to be a unanimous decision, amongst all cities. Otherwise, nothing moves forward," staff said.

By ratifying the commission’s decisions, the Clayton board approved resolution 2025-11 authorizing the city’s part in the contracts and contingency funding. Officials said the intergovernmental agreement and the commission’s bylaws govern the cost-sharing and decision-making processes.

Construction timing and funding allocations will be finalized as the contract documents are executed and the member cities complete their ratification steps.