Gilroy council awards $1.16 million construction-management contract for Santa Teresa fire station

The Gilroy City Council voted 7-0 on Aug. 18 to award Griffin Structures Inc. a $1,163,000 construction‑management with master architectural services (CMMA) contract for the city’s Santa Teresa Fire Station design‑build project.

City capital projects manager Ryan Ozzington told the council the contract would make Griffin the city’s representative from “start to finish” for bridging‑document development, design‑build entity selection, design, construction and project closeout, and that the city received four proposals. “Griffin’s proposal received the highest average score and was the second‑lowest total cost,” Ozzington said.

The project is intended to deliver a permanent fourth fire station in the Glen Loma Ranch area to improve service coverage and response times. Ozzington said the project schedule covers six phases and is expected to take about 34 months; under a best‑case compression staff estimated savings of roughly two to three months. He said funding would come from the Capital Projects Fund, with $1.5 million shown for fiscal year 2026 and $11.5 million total available in fiscal year 2027; Glen Loma Ranch is responsible for $3.6 million of that amount tied to final subdivision maps.

Why it matters: the station adds local emergency capacity but its timing and some construction tasks depend on related subdivision work. Multiple council members and the public pushed for faster delivery and clearer financial commitments.

Council members questioned how closely the station’s delivery is tied to Glen Loma’s subdivision and whether the city would have to front costs. A staff member identified two separate issues: the funding trigger (a $3.6 million deposit into escrow tied to final maps) and site work such as retaining walls that normally accompany subdivision grading. “Contractually, from the funding side, the only part of the agreement… tied to completion and recording of the final maps,” staff said; from an operational standpoint the city could choose to front certain site work and negotiate reimbursement with Glen Loma.

Councilmember Rocco pressed staff on the schedule and expressed frustration at delays, saying, “I feel like I’m being sold a junky old used car right now,” and arguing for a subcommittee to provide closer oversight. Several council members urged monthly status updates; interim city staff said they would provide regular reports and would work with a subcommittee if council creates one.

The motion, moved by Council member Hilton and seconded by Council member Marks, authorized award of the contract in the total amount of $1,163,000 (including $1,108,300 in base CMMA and $54,700 in reimbursable costs) and authorized the interim city administrator to execute the agreement and related documents. Roll call showed unanimous approval by Mayor Greg Bozzo and council members Bracco, Klein, Fugazi, Hilton, Marks and Ramirez.

Next steps: staff will begin concept designs and bridging documents in early 2026 and start design‑build entity selection in spring 2026. Staff told the council they believe the project can move forward even if the Glen Loma developer timeline shifts, but acknowledged the city may need short‑term financing or reimbursement agreements if developer funding is delayed.

Ending: The council approved the CMMA contract to keep the design‑build process moving while staff monitors the Glen Loma financing triggers and reports back to council.