Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Station 20 Rebuild topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Fire Station 20 rebuild delayed; March 25 bid opening set after remediation, port funds and budget gap discussed
Summary
Officials said remediation is complete and new bids are being accepted March 25; previous bids were over budget and the city may face at least a roughly $500,000 shortfall beyond port bond funds to complete Station 20 rebuild.
City officials updated the Shreveport City Council on Fire Station 20’s long-delayed rebuild, saying remediation work is complete, drawings were revised, and a new bid opening is scheduled for March 25.
Shelley Bridal, city staff overseeing the project, said the building was gutted to studs during remediation and multiple bids solicited in December exceeded budget estimates; the city rejected those bids. The solicitation was reissued after design changes to reduce nonessential interior and parking work.
Bridal said remediation sampling and acceptance delayed reconstruction; staff could not start the rebuild until clean test results were accepted in February. The city issued new bid documents and set a March 25 bid opening. Staff told the council the original funding plan relied on bond monies from the Port (approximately $670,000 was referenced earlier), but previous bids came back closer to $1.6 million — roughly $500,000 more than the port contribution — meaning the city may need to identify additional funds.
Mayor Snow and staff said they are coordinating with the Port of Shreveport-Bossier on whether temporary station housing or additional support is available while reconstruction proceeds. Council members pressed staff about the timeline and whether alternate funding or a temporary station could be provided; staff said moving utilities and preparing a temporary location would add complexity and cost.
City staff said program-management contracts for water, sewer and streets bond projects are proceeding separately and do not directly affect Station 20 funding. No final contract award was made at the work session; the council was informed of the March 25 bid opening and that staff will return with recommendations after bid evaluation.
Council discussion identified the need for a funding plan if bids remain over budget and for further coordination with the Port on use of remaining bond funds and potential temporary station arrangements.
