Lockhart council directs full remodel package for Fire Station No. 1, including roof and exterior work

Lockhart City Council instructed staff on March 18 to proceed with an expanded remodel scope for Fire Station No. 1 at 201 West Market Street, directing inclusion of the reduced base scope, roof replacement and exterior improvements after receiving 50% construction drawings and updated cost estimates.

Assistant City Manager Joseph Rezendes, the project team and the construction manager at risk (CMR) D. Wilson Construction presented updated pricing from Studio Steinbomber and D. Wilson. The original base scope, previously estimated at $735,000, was re-priced to approximately $1,570,000. Staff and consultants developed a reduced base scope that omits some exterior elements and cuts the price to about $1,270,000. Adding roof work raises that option to about $1,520,000; including the reduced base, roof and exterior improvements would bring the total to roughly $1,800,000. The roof portion alone was estimated at roughly $250,000, with asbestos abatement accounting for about 10% of that line item.

Amy Bramwell, principal with Studio Steinbomber Architects, explained the high roof cost reflects not only new roofing material but removal and replacement of the roof underlayment and waterproofing, insulation to current code, improved roof access (ladder), and code-driven repairs to components such as the bell-tower roof. She said the asbestos-containing tiles themselves are in relatively stable condition but the underlying waterproofing has deteriorated.

Council members debated phasing versus doing the full work now. Several members said doing all work at once avoids higher future costs and repeated mobilizations. Assistant City Manager Rezendes said funding to include the roof (option 2) appears feasible based on a preliminary fund balance analysis that used reallocated ARPA dollars to free up other fund balance; staff would refine the funding plan and pricing before returning to council. Rezendes estimated Studio Steinbomber could complete the next drawing set in four to six weeks and D. Wilson would then provide a guaranteed maximum price (GMP).

Action: Council Member Michaelson moved to approve option 3 (reduced base + roof + exterior improvements). Council Member Castillo seconded. The motion passed 6-0.

The council’s direction instructs staff to complete design development with Studio Steinbomber and D. Wilson, obtain refined pricing leading to a GMP, and return to council with the GMP and a detailed funding recommendation. Staff noted exterior painting and signage were not critical to life-safety functions and could be deferred if budget constraints require phasing.

Ending: With funding questions to be refined in the GMP stage, the council’s vote starts the next design and procurement steps rather than immediate construction; staff aims to complete drawings within approximately four to six weeks and present a GMP afterward.