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Highway officials debate lower‑cost hardened shelter option after $700,000 estimate for replacement structure
Summary
Committee members discussed an engineer’s $700,000 estimate for a new shelter structure, considered building an internal masonry hardened room using county crews, and agreed to explore grant opportunities and confirm engineer/stamp questions with the county attorney and architect.
A staff presentation on facility repairs included discussion of a proposed replacement shelter structure estimated by a consultant at roughly $700,000, a figure that prompted concern from committee members.
Committee members debated options including building a masonry hardened room inside the existing facility using county crews and precast panels as a lower‑cost alternative. Staff noted potential liability and asked whether structural plans would need engineer or architect stamping and whether the county’s own work could be signed off; staff said they would consult the state’s attorney and the original stamped plans from the prior design. Members cautioned against giving false assurance that an improvised hardened room would provide tornado‑safe shelter if it did not meet the standards of an engineered tornado shelter.
Staff suggested pursuing multiple tracks: explore grant funding sources through regional grant partners (the meeting referenced an NCICG outreach), and simultaneously prepare a cost estimate for building a hardened interior structure using county labor and purchased materials. The committee did not authorize construction at the meeting; members asked staff to research grant eligibility, engineering sign‑off requirements and cost estimates, and to return with options.
Ending: Staff will contact the county attorney and potential grant sources and present cost estimates and options at a future meeting.
