Committee authorizes up to $75,000 for decorative columns and soffit at police building

The Buchanan Police Building Committee voted unanimously Thursday to authorize up to $75,000 for decorative column wraps and associated soffit work at the new police building, a committee member said during the meeting.

The vote covers column wraps for seven perimeter columns and two interior columns, plus a new soffit that will receive column capitals and a lowered metal ceiling across three sides of the canopy. The committee recorded the approval as unanimous; the motion authorized an upper limit of $75,000 to avoid a second vote if the final price varies slightly above earlier estimates.

Committee members and project staff said the work is primarily aesthetic: the fiberglass resin column wraps will be installed in halves over the structural steel, bonded and painted to present a Tuscan-style finish. “I propose that we authorize up to 75,000 for the columns and soffit and associated work,” a committee member said when moving the measure; another member seconded the motion and members voted in favor.

Project staff described the soffit as necessary to both receive the column capitals and to allow a continuous metal ceiling that will conceal structural steel and sprinkler piping. Brian, a member of the project team, told the committee the lowered soffit maintains an 11-foot clear dimension through the sally port so existing police and EMS vehicles can operate without obstruction.

The meeting packet presented a preliminary split of the $65,000 rough estimate: staff said approximately 60% of the cost is for the columns and about 40% for the soffit. Turner, the construction manager referenced in discussion, had placed a placeholder in contingency for this item; committee members agreed the final charge would draw from the project contingency rather than require new appropriation.

Committee discussion emphasized the work is cosmetic, not functional: “We should all be clear that this isn't adding to the functionality in any way, shape, or form. Right? This is purely an aesthetic ad,” a committee member said. Project staff answered that the soffit also avoids a boxed enclosure around a sprinkler pipe and will provide a cleaner finished appearance.

The committee approved the authorization unanimously. Project staff said Turner and subcontractors will refine pricing and proceed with construction sequencing so the column assemblies can be installed when the column halves are delivered.

Staff recorded the charge against the owner’s contingency; the committee noted that the contingency balance will be reduced by the final amount and that Turner’s contract contingency and other hold items remain available to absorb other end‑of‑project adjustments.