Town and Country hears updated design, tighter constraints and higher program estimate for city hall, police and fire renovations

City of Town and Country officials on Oct. 27 received an extended schematic design and budget update on proposed renovations to city hall, the police department and the fire station.

The presentation, led by Joe Switzer, the city's owner's representative from Navigate, and Roy Mangan, an architect with Arch Images, described site surveys and geotechnical work that revealed underground utilities and easements limiting exterior additions and suggested reusing space vacated by public works rather than building outward.

The discussion mattered because the constraints and program choices changed the project's scope and cost estimates. Sam, a city staff presenter, reminded the board that the original total program allocation was $5 million, with $2 million earmarked for the fire station. Multiple independent estimates produced different construction values: an August estimate briefly showed about $6.5 million, a later internal takeoff reduced a construction estimate to about $4.6…