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City staff outline preliminary timeline for DPS bond projects; ladder truck purchase to follow closing
Summary
City staff presented a preliminary timeline for a new DPS building, South Side remodel, downtown fire-station rehab and a ladder truck purchase; staff emphasized the timeline is contingent on dependencies including staffing and closing funds.
City staff presented a preliminary schedule for several public-safety projects, saying drawings and bidding will take months and some work depends on staffing and the timing of available funds.
Mr. Gilbert, a city staff presenter, told the Fate City Council that, once an architect is under contract, it will take about six to eight months to produce drawings. He said construction of a new DPS building is estimated at 12 to 14 months, a South Side remodel about eight months, downtown fire-station rehab about six months and the ladder truck purchase about 18 months. “This timeline is our best-guess judgment,” Mr. Gilbert said, adding that some dates could change as the project develops.
The staff presentation said the council could select an architect in March and begin construction planning thereafter. Council members asked staff to include dependency charts showing which tasks hinge on other decisions, such as staffing transitions tied to the South Side remodel and fund availability tied to the ladder-truck order. Mr. Gilbert agreed to add a table of dependencies and to publish concept plans and project progress online so the public can track milestones.
On the ladder truck, staff said purchase timing depends on the closing of funding; once funds are in the city account staff expects to return to the council for an order approval. “We don’t actually have funds yet; closing is what, 10 days?” one speaker observed, and staff confirmed funds would be available after closing, then budgeted for a council action to order the truck.
Council members asked staff to clarify operational impacts during construction, particularly how the downtown station can continue day-to-day operations while the South Side work and the new build proceed. Mr. Gilbert noted personnel transfers and daily operations are key scheduling factors.
The presentation did not include contract amounts, final architect selections or binding dates; staff described the schedule as preliminary and subject to change.
