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Council awards up-to-$33 million contract for Fire Station 86, approves funding sources
Summary
Riviera Beach city council approved a comprehensive design-build agreement with Kaufman Lane Inc. for Fire Station 86 and associated water system work in an amount not to exceed $33 million, funded by referendum bonds, utility funds and disaster funds; council discussion addressed cost increases and resilient design needs.
The Riviera Beach City Council on Aug. 20 approved Resolution No. 77-25, authorizing a comprehensive agreement with Kaufman Lane Inc. for design-build construction of Fire Station 86, replacement of a 1,000,000-gallon water tank, associated pump house and water main upgrades at the Singer Island site, in an amount not to exceed $33,000,000.
The resolution authorizes project funding composed of $25,000,000 from voter-approved referendum bonds, $5,000,000 from the utility special district renewal-and-replacement fund and $3,000,000 from the major disaster fund, and authorizes the chief financial officer to adjust budget appropriations accordingly.
Terrence Bailey, capital projects administrator, described the contract as the final phase of fire improvements at Fire Station 86 and said the scope includes the station, the water tank, pump house and connecting pipes. "This contract will authorize the $33,000,000 to not only build a fire station, but replace the 1,000,000 gallon water tank, the pump house, and the connecting pipes," Bailey said.
Public comment included concerns about architectural features and cost. Cindy March said she agreed the station was needed but questioned spending on a decorative steeple.
Council members and staff discussed reasons the project's cost increased from earlier estimates. Bailey and the fire chief said design changes driven by resilient-construction recommendations after recent major storms and the need to upsize water infrastructure on the north end of Singer Island increased costs. Staff explained that code and environmental constraints reduced the buildable footprint, necessitating a taller, more expensive design and elements such as seawall work and elevated placement of mechanical systems. That, coupled with higher per-square-foot construction costs, contributed to the larger contract amount. Staff said building a multistory, storm‑resilient facility with elevated utilities and pilings was more expensive than the earlier single-story assumption.
The council approved the resolution by unanimous roll call.
Finance, procurement and project administration actions to execute the contract and begin construction were authorized contemporaneously with the resolution.
