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County: EMS headquarters nears completion; existing EMS building to be remodeled for emergency management and fire, RFQ approved for health/FCRC study
Summary
County staff and consultants reported the EMS headquarters is roughly 78% complete and billing; the county plans to repurpose the current EMS facility as a combined emergency management and fire facility with a new storm shelter, and commissioners authorized an RFQ for a space-needs study for the health department and FCRC.
Riley County received updates on two linked capital projects May 1: the new emergency medical services (EMS) headquarters nearing finishing work, and plans to remodel the existing EMS building for emergency management, fire operations and a storm shelter.
Andrew Girth of BHS, the project team for the new headquarters, told commissioners the building is largely finished inside and out and that, through March billing data, the project is “currently showing about 78% completed and billed to date.” He said the contract amount remains $9,587,108 with a contingency of about $509,000; the project team expects site work and paving to be completed in June and cited one long-lead electrical item (a manual transfer switch) scheduled for July delivery that will require a brief shutdown to install.
Girth summarized recent progress: metal panels and exterior features are in place, interior casework and ceiling systems are installed in many areas, and tile, epoxy and most flooring are either installed or scheduled for delivery. He said the work will tie in to the Flint Community Resource Center (FCRC) site features and that continuing paving will mitigate current drainage concerns.
County public-works staff and consultants also presented a plan to repurpose the existing EMS building after departments move to the new facility. The remodel plan would convert part of the current living/office space into emergency management offices; remove two of three garage bays to create a training/operations center and IT/backup dispatch area; and construct a cast-in-place storm shelter on the north side of the building. The remodel also calls for new roofs, HVAC, plumbing, electrical distribution and an on-site generator. The plan includes adding a wall-mounted radio antenna (a 60-foot antenna) attached to the new shelter structure.
Consultants said the architect’s design team would prepare bid-ready documents in roughly six weeks, with demolition and structural work to follow. Preliminary evaluations from the design team indicate the project is likely to remain within the original budget discussed during earlier planning; consultants noted there are typical unknowns such as any hidden structural deterioration that will only be revealed when siding and finishes are removed.
Commissioners also voted to approve a request for qualifications (RFQ) for a separate “space needs” study covering Riley County Health Department facilities and FCRC space needs. The RFQ directs proposers to evaluate existing conditions, meet with staff to determine current and future needs, and develop cost estimates and schedules for proposed solutions. Commissioners asked that the RFQ include a requirement that firms provide a preliminary cost range for each proposed solution when invited to interview, so the county has budget guidance before selecting a design team.
The county’s project managers said they will coordinate signage and exterior design choices for the remodeled facility — including locating an identifying emblem or sign on the building — and will present cost estimates and final drawings as design work progresses.
