Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Building topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Officials give update on Public Safety Building phase 2; county estimates $6.5–$7.5 million for tenant fit-out
Summary
Design and construction team reported on tenant finish for the sheriff’s space, citing vehicle-bay changes, a larger generator to power the whole building, access-control needs across shared uses, electrical-market volatility, and a planned vote on an expanded GMP in mid-August.
Douglas County staff and the design-build team gave commissioners an update July 30 on phase 2 tenant finish work for the county’s Public Safety Building, describing a plan to complete the sheriff’s office fit-out, vehicle storage, evidence space and shared circulation, and a projected additional cost range between $6.5 million and $7.5 million.
Jeff Lane of Trainer Architects said the design team met with users to refine finishes, acoustics, daylighting, and furniture layout and to build modest future expansion capacity into the floor plan. Lane noted the team worked to ensure vehicle bays and evidence storage would fit the county’s prioritized vehicles and evidence handling needs.
Mike Comer of J.A. Dunn said pricing solicitations have returned and subcontractor bids are still being validated; he said structural steel erection has begun and work is progressing on site. County staff told commissioners that the project’s expanded guaranteed maximum price (GMP) will likely return to the board for approval either Aug. 13 or the following meeting, depending on final bid validation.
Staff emphasized several cost drivers: a larger generator to support the entire building rather than a partial load, changes to electrical gear and switchgear that were already part of the base contract, and a revised vehicle-storage scope (including a slightly larger west garage door and the option for a drive-through apron that is not yet being built). A county staff member said, “Between about 6 and a half and 7 and a half million, is where I think this project's gonna come in.”
J.A. Dunn noted market volatility in trade scopes — particularly electrical — and that some subcontractors are reluctant to price projects that will be built in 2026–27 because of tariff and cost-uncertainty concerns. Staff said the team has preserved options for access control, audio-visual systems and acoustics and is avoiding unnecessary “bells and whistles” while meeting functional needs for the sheriff, emergency management and dispatch teams that will share parts of the facility.
Commissioners asked about expansion capacity and were told the layout could likely accommodate about 10 additional staff using the same furniture footprint or more if smaller furniture is chosen later. Commissioners also asked whether the sheriff's boat and search-and-recovery vehicle would fit in the bays; staff confirmed the boat is planned to be stored in the garage.
No action was required at the meeting; staff will return with a recommended expanded GMP and contract documents for commission consideration in mid-August.
