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Conroe selects SLI Group for Station 8 design‑build; chief says project scaled to save months and reduce cost
Summary
The city recommended SLI Group for design‑build services on Fire Station 8 with an estimated $4.3 million design and construction cost and an additional FF&E estimate of $250,000–$500,000; the chief said retaining the previous building footprint saved roughly six months of delay tied to TxDOT coordination.
Fire department leadership recommended the SLI Group Inc. as the preferred design‑build team for Conroe Fire Station 8 during the council workshop on April 23.
Chief Sims summarized the RFQ process: an initial pre‑submittal meeting drew about 22 vendors, six proposals were received, the review committee narrowed the field to three and in‑person interviews produced the committee's selection. The chief said the recommended design and construction price is approximately $4.3 million and estimated furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) at $250,000–$500,000, putting the total near $5 million depending on final scope.
"We stayed with that [previous] footprint...The last process was 6 months long. So we didn't want to... cause us to be a delay there," the chief said, describing the decision to retain the previously approved site layout so the project would not require an extended TxDOT re‑review that could have added months to the schedule.
Council members praised the cost reduction and asked about contract terms and protections for cost overruns and schedule delays. The chief said contract details, including cost‑overrun protections and timelines, will be negotiated with SLI Group and brought back to council for final approval.
The recommendation will move into contract negotiation; council requested that negotiated terms and a timeline for deliverables be brought to a future council meeting for approval before construction begins.
Ending: Staff will enter contract negotiations with SLI Group and return to council with detailed contract terms, cost controls and project timelines for final authorization.
